Examination of the Communication Environment When Applying Removable Dentures as Wearable Devices

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Dental Materials Science
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Removable dentures offer potential as platforms for wearable devices.
• Integrating technology into dentures can enhance patient monitoring and care.
• Understanding communication limitations is crucial for developing functional denture-integrated devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the communication environment of integrated circuit (IC) tags within removable dentures.
• To determine the impact of encapsulation depth and materials on IC tag communication.
• To assess the influence of saliva on the performance of denture-embedded IC tags.

Main Methods:

• Fabricated 15 specimens for each encapsulation depth (4.5-6.0 mm).
• Encapsulated IC tags in various dental materials.
• Tested IC tag communication before and after immersion in artificial saliva.

Main Results:

• Communication was feasible up to 5.5 mm without encapsulation and 5.0 mm with dental material encapsulation.
• Encapsulation depth and material significantly affected communication.
• Artificial saliva immersion did not impede IC tag communication.

Conclusions:

• Encapsulation depth and dental materials are critical factors for IC tag communication in dentures.
• Saliva does not negatively impact the communication of embedded IC tags.
• Removable dentures show promise as wearable devices with embedded IC technology.