A prototype smartphone jaw tracking application to quantitatively model tooth contact

ABSTRACTThis study utilised a prototype system which consisted of a person-specific 3D printed jaw tracking harness interfacing with the maxillary and mandibular teeth and custom jaw tracking software implemented on a smartphone. The prototype achieved acceptable results. The prototype demonstrated a static position accuracy of less than 1 mm and 5°. It successfully tracked 30 cycles of a protrusive excursion, left lateral excursion, and 40 mm of jaw opening on a semi-adjustable articulator. The standard error of the tracking accuracy was reported as 0.1377 mm, 0.0449 mm, and 0.9196 mm, with corresponding r2 values of 0.98, 1.00, and 1.00, respectively. Finally, occlusal contacts of left, right, and protrusive excursions were tracked with the prototype system and their trajectories were used to demonstrate kinematic modelling (no occlusal forces) with a biomechanical simulation tool.KEYWORDS: Smartphonedental occlusioncomputer visionjaw trackingbiomechanical simulation AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to thank the Institute for Reconstructive Science in Medicine at the Misericordia Community Hospital in Edmonton Alberta for their help with the design and 3D printing of the tracking harnesses.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsKieran ArmstrongKieran Armstrong, holds a BEng in biomedical engineering from the University of Victoria and an MSc in rehabilitation science from the University of Alberta. His MSc research focused on computer modeling for dental prosthetic biomechanics in head and neck cancer treatment. Working in the wearable biometric sensing industry, his focus is on exploring how optical biometric sensing methods can be used to make meaningful connections to biological signals, like photoplethysmography to help people monitor their health and fitness.Carolyn KincadeCarolyn Kincade is a seasoned healthcare professional with a strong background in quality management and patient care. As a traditionally trained Dental Technologist she has enjoyed the transition of analog case work to digital. She is currently engaged in furthering her studies with a Master of Technology Management, though Memorial University of Newfoundland, to build upon her Diploma in Dental Technology and Bachelor of Technology from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Carolyn also engages with the regulatory community in many ways, having served in various committee roles as part of the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta. Carolyn continues to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field, bringing her expertise to the forefront for quality healthcare delivery.Jana RiegerJana Rieger, PhD is a global leader in functional outcomes assessment related to head and neck disorders. Over her 20-year career in this field, Jana has held roles as a professor, clinician, researcher, and most recently, entrepreneur. Jana and her team have developed, tested, and commercialized the Mobili-T: a novel mHealth “smart” software-based device for people with dysphagia (i.e., swallowing disorders). Over the course of her academic career, Jana also set-up and deployed an innovative health outcomes assessment program that is internationally-renowned and is credited as the gold standard in the field. She is an expert in international team building and brought together thought leaders from four different countries to participate in an innovative research network, the Head and Neck Research Network (HNRN). As the first director of that network, she developed the policies and procedures, databases, privacy impact assessments and ethical approvals for the group, creating a strong foundation for governance. Jana excels in thought leadership. She has functioned at a director level within a health-care institution to bring together diverse groups of clinicians, researchers, and policy-makers.Daniel AaltoDr. Daniel Aalto is an Associate professor in the Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. He holds joint appointment at the Institute for Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine (iRSM) where he is a research scientist. He obtained his MSc and PhD (engineering physics and mathematics) from Aalto University, Finland. Dr. Aalto’s research interests are in computer modeling of head and neck functions including tongue mobility, speech acoustics, articulation, hearing, swallowing, and chewing. In addition, he actively explores new design and simulation techniques to support virtual planning and surgical execution of head and neck reconstructive surgery.