IOSR Journal of Computer Engineering (IOSR-JCE) e-ISSN: 2278-0661,p-ISSN: 2278-8727, Volume 17, Issue 5, Ver. IV (Sep. – Oct. 2015), PP 01-06 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0661-17540106 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page Development of a Force Acquisition Instrument for Orthodontics John Carlo Valdez 1 1 (Department of Computer Engineering, University of the East, Philippines) Abstract : In the field of Orthodontics, various appliances and components are being utilized to facilitate tooth movement. Tissue responses range from physiologic tooth movement to irreversible damage such as pulling a tooth out of a socket. The aim of the study is to develop a force acquisition instrument which can accurately measure forces applied by orthodontic components to the tooth. Furthermore, in this paper it test and present the linearity, bias, and significant difference on the measured and true values when exposed to varying room temperature of the developed force acquisition instrument for orthodontics. Keywords: force acquisition instrument, orthodontics, force measurement, ortho-components I. Introduction Edward Angle, the father of Modern Orthodontics, is credited with the emergence of orthodontics as a specialty. Orthodontic treatment involves movement of malpositioned teeth. Brackets are connected to the surface of the patient’s teeth and an arch wire is placed in a slot of each bracket to move the teeth [1]. Adjustments are made with the replacement of arch wires and use of elastics and coil springs. A dynamometer is a general instrument that evaluates an applied force. In the practice of orthodontics, it measures the forces specifically applied on the tooth by orthodontic components. Current clinical dynamometer is constructed for measuring tensile and compression forces exerted by the springs and elastics for a range of 1oz-16 oz. It is calibrated with 1 oz. single line and 4 oz. double line increment. The double-ended calibrated shaft makes it possible to evaluate pull and push forces. An Australian research that focused on the effect of a static magnetic field on orthodontic movement in the rat [2], measured the residual forces in each appliance from the induction of tooth movement and verified at the end of each experimental period using a dynamometer. In [3], it demonstrated the use of the dynamometer in their application in ensuring that the magnitude of load was always 85g from the force applied by the Ni-Ti closed-coil springs in the effects of orthodontic load on the periodontium of autogenously transplanted teeth in beagle dogs. In general, the clinical dynamometer’s capability varies on the specific application in orthodontics, ranging from simply assessing the applied force by the orthodontic appliances to estimate the tooth movement output to standardizing the thickness of adhesive material [4], among others. The researcher had carefully studied the clinical dynamometer being used in the dental profession. From the testaments provided to the researcher by the dental faculty members and dental practitioners, no dynamometer in the market has been manufactured with precise measurement and with sufficient amount of significant numbers to accurately measure the force applied on the tooth. Dental practitioners and students use the aid of mechanical dynamometer in measuring gram-force acting on the tooth. Though inaccurate, they accept the truncated gram-force reading of the device with insufficient number of significant values in the device scale. In this study, it aims to develop a force acquisition instrument to measure these forced for orthodontics. Specifically, it determines the acceptability of the proposed instrument, during the testing, it must satisfy the hypothesis set to test the linearity, that no offset exist between true and measured value at the specific target both for the minimum and maximum range, (Ho: a = 0) and bias, that slope between the true and measured values is equal to one, (Ho: b = 1) at the accuracy of the measurements over the full range. Likewise, no significant difference must be observed in the measurement once the instrument is exposed to varying temperature during orthodontic procedures (Ho: c = 0). II. Related Literature Certain situations still pose challenges in the practice of orthodontics, even with the great advancement in technology. The researcher is inspired by how engineering should be applied to a different field of study and practice. With his specialty in computer engineering, the researcher is initiated to be engaged in an interdisciplinary application between engineering and orthodontics. Thus, applying the field of biomedical engineering to enhance and improve the efficiency of orthodontic practice. The dental profession has to address the following challenges: properly determine the nominal force applied during orthodontic tooth movement and how this will affect the efficiency of orthodontic tooth movement.