Development of a dental implant mobility measurement system using an inductive sensor

Estimation of dental implant stability is an important factor for diagnosis of implant treatment. In this study, we have developed a new system for measuring dental implant mobility. Movement of the implant was measured by an inductive sensor and an amplification adaptor was developed to multiply movement of the implant. Impulse response signal of the implant was acquired and power spectrum analysis was applied for the signal. Various implant-tissue interfacial conditions were simulated in an in vitro experiment and average peak frequency of the power spectrum was calculated for each condition. Artificial implantation model of acryl was fabricated and holes of different levels of depth and diameter were drilled. Two types of impression materials were used to fix the dental implant into the hole. The peak frequency showed linear relationship (P-value<0.01) with the depth and the diameter of the hole. Differentiability of the system was evaluated by ANOVA test.