Abstract This study describes a localized method – using optical fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) – to determine the human bite force at the very moment of occlusion, in maximum intercuspidation. The FBG was encapsulated in a silicone splint between uppers and lowers first molars and avoiding pre-contact with the other teeth in a dentition model. Gypsum dental castings of two volunteers are performed in a semi-adjustable articulator in the occluded situation to maintain angulations of the occlusal plane within normal occlusion. The sensor was characterized in vitro for both volunteers and the human bite force is measured in vivo. The orthodontic forces on the sensor are acquired at four moments: before of occlusion (free situation), occlusion, biting and maximum bite. The measured maximum bite forces are 85 N for female (brachyfacial) volunteer and 76 N for male (mesofacial) volunteer, between right uppers and lowers first molars. The difference can be associated to the facial pattern. The results obtained show the possibility to employ the optical encapsulated sensor to perform measurements of orthodontic forces in order to analysis different types of facial patterns with minimum of interference at occlusion.

Abstract This case study describes a new method using a fiber optic Bragg grating sensor to determine muscle fatigue in a patient wearing a resilient occlusal device for the treatment of bruxism symptoms. Four tasks performed at maximum bite force induced rapid exhaustion for the analysis of fatigue. The results show that it is possible to obtain a better understanding of the muscle fatigue process by using the fiber sensor. Differences between the bite patterns are detected at each phase of the induced fatigue. It is possible to compare the bite peak sensitivity coefficients for the exhaustion phase, 1.37 Ns-1, and for fatigue phase, 2.54 Ns-1. Additionally, the increase in the facial thermal profile is correlated to the different bite force pattern performed.

This paper presents a structural health monitoring system for monitoring, with reduced visual impact, one historical building structural. The system is based on fiber Bragg gratings and comprises 19 displacement sensors and 5 temperature sensors. All the sensors were custom made according to the monitoring points' characteristics. The results obtained over the first year of monitoring are presented. The objective of this work is to gather data that will bring a deeper knowledge of how this structure behaves and to help planning the recovering interventions in this historical building.