Title: Design and evaluation of a Force Sensing Resistor based bite force measuring device

Authors: U. Thongudomporn, P. Smithmaitrie, V. Chongsuvivatwong, A.F. Geater

Addresses: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand. ' Epidemiology Unit, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand. ' Epidemiology Unit, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand

Abstract: A Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) based bite force measuring device has been developed to determine human Maximum Bite Force (MBF) generated from a group of posterior teeth, using inexpensive parts and common laboratory electronic instruments. The relationship between applied force and sensor output fitted well with a polynomial regression equation. The mean ± SD of the error was 3.9 ± 3.4% and that of the coefficient of variation was 2.2 ± 0.5%. The mean maximum hysteresis was 13.36 ± 2.72 mV. Unilateral MBF measured by this instrument on 80 adolescents was 692 ± 152.9 N in males and 613 ± 180.2 N in females. Clinical test-retest repeatability was favourable (r = 0.88 − 0.92). This FSR sensor could be useful for the determination of MBF in clinical and field research work.

Keywords: bite force measurement; FSR sensors; force sensing resistors; calibration; accuracy; reliability; human maximum bite force; posterior teeth.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2010.034280

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2010 Vol.4 No.1, pp.78 - 87

Published online: 31 Jul 2010 *

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