Biomaterial Database

A simple stimulator for periodontal mechanoreceptors in human subjects. 1992

T Sato, and T S Miles, and K S Türker, and S Flavel

Second Department of Prosthodontics, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.

Mechanoreceptors in the periodontal ligament are activated by tooth movements as little as 1-3 microns. It has been difficult in the past to move a tooth only over this small distance in order to activate the periodontal receptors without at the same time activating other receptors in related structures. This paper describes a simple solution to this problem based on the use of von Frey hairs (in the form of nylon filaments) rather than a rigid probe, to move the tooth. Filaments of different stiffness are mounted on the moving coil of a loudspeaker to apply different forces to the tooth. The timing of the contact of the filament with the tooth is measured precisely with a simple impact detector. The sensation elicited by this stimulator is abolished by local alveolar anaesthesia, indicating that the stimulation was localised to the periodontal area. The flexible probe is an important safety feature, as it limits the force applied to the tooth, and therefore the distance that the tooth can be displaced. The stimulator, suitable for psychophysical studies on the thresholds of periodontal receptors, on the reflex responses to stimulation of periodontal mechanoreceptors, and teaching applications, can be constructed from readily available components at minimal cost.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008465	Mechanoreceptors	Cells specialized to transduce mechanical stimuli and relay that information centrally in the nervous system. Mechanoreceptor cells include the INNER EAR hair cells, which mediate hearing and balance, and the various somatosensory receptors, often with non-neural accessory structures.	Golgi Tendon Organ,Golgi Tendon Organs,Krause's End Bulb,Krause's End Bulbs,Mechanoreceptor,Mechanoreceptor Cell,Meissner's Corpuscle,Neurotendinous Spindle,Neurotendinous Spindles,Receptors, Stretch,Ruffini's Corpuscle,Ruffini's Corpuscles,Stretch Receptor,Stretch Receptors,Mechanoreceptor Cells,Bulb, Krause's End,Bulbs, Krause's End,Cell, Mechanoreceptor,Cells, Mechanoreceptor,Corpuscle, Meissner's,Corpuscle, Ruffini's,Corpuscles, Ruffini's,End Bulb, Krause's,End Bulbs, Krause's,Krause End Bulb,Krause End Bulbs,Krauses End Bulb,Krauses End Bulbs,Meissner Corpuscle,Meissners Corpuscle,Organ, Golgi Tendon,Organs, Golgi Tendon,Receptor, Stretch,Ruffini Corpuscle,Ruffini Corpuscles,Ruffinis Corpuscle,Ruffinis Corpuscles,Spindle, Neurotendinous,Spindles, Neurotendinous,Tendon Organ, Golgi,Tendon Organs, Golgi
D009757	Nylons	Polymers where the main polymer chain comprises recurring amide groups. These compounds are generally formed from combinations of diamines, diacids, and amino acids and yield fibers, sheeting, or extruded forms used in textiles, gels, filters, sutures, contact lenses, and other biomaterials.	Polyamides,Dermalon,Ethilon,Nylon,Polyamide,Supramid,Dermalons,Ethilons,Supramids
D010513	Periodontal Ligament	The fibrous CONNECTIVE TISSUE surrounding the TOOTH ROOT, separating it from and attaching it to the alveolar bone (ALVEOLAR PROCESS).	Alveolodental Ligament,Alveolodental Membrane,Gomphosis,Alveolodental Ligaments,Alveolodental Membranes,Gomphoses,Ligament, Alveolodental,Ligament, Periodontal,Membrane, Alveolodental,Periodontal Ligaments
D010812	Physical Stimulation	Act of eliciting a response from a person or organism through physical contact.	Stimulation, Physical,Physical Stimulations,Stimulations, Physical
D011093	Polyethylene Terephthalates	Polyester polymers formed from terephthalic acid or its esters and ethylene glycol. They can be formed into tapes, films or pulled into fibers that are pressed into meshes or woven into fabrics.	Dacron,Nalophan,PET Polymer,Poly(Ethylene Terephtalate),Polyethylene Terephthalate,Tedlar,Dacrons,Nalophans,PET Polymers,Tedlars,Terephthalate, Polyethylene,Terephthalates, Polyethylene
D004056	Differential Threshold	The smallest difference which can be discriminated between two stimuli or one which is barely above the threshold.	Difference Limen,Just-Noticeable Difference,Weber-Fechner Law,Difference Limens,Difference, Just-Noticeable,Differences, Just-Noticeable,Differential Thresholds,Just Noticeable Difference,Just-Noticeable Differences,Law, Weber-Fechner,Limen, Difference,Limens, Difference,Threshold, Differential,Thresholds, Differential,Weber Fechner Law
D004867	Equipment Design	Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware.	Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man