Fiber Bragg Gratings Sensors on Sutural Expansion Assessment: a Pilot Study

Applications of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors have been developed in many fields due to their properties, which allow versatility and crucial advantages over traditional measuring methods, e.g. biocompatibility, immunity to electromagnetic fields and multiplexing capability. Aiming at these advantages, this paper presents the application of FBG sensors on orthodontic strain measurements. Two FBGs are positioned on the anterior and posterior regions of a rapid palatal expansion (RPE) appliance with tooth-borne connection (Hyrax). Results show the feasibility of the proposed approach, where the FBGs were able to measure the sutural expansion in both anterior and posterior region at 20 activations of the Hyrax.