| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/D500834/1 |
| Title: |
Scanning laser vibrometer & its use in dental instrumentation |
| Principal Investigator: |
Walmsley, Professor D |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Dentistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Birmingham |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 November 2005 |
Ends: |
30 November 2008 |
Value (£): |
83,149
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Med.Instrument.Device& Equip. |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
One of the most unpleasant experiences when you visit the dentist can be the vibration of the dental drill. Dentists use these instruments to remove decay from the teeth and prepare teeth for the placement of a filling; they may be also used to smooth any rough surfaces on teeth or existing fillings. This work is hoping to assess any vibration which may occur when a tooth is cut and will look at ways of preventing this unpleasant sensation. The results of this research will help to make the instruments more efficient as we will share any new information with the manufacturers.Although we can feel and hear this vibration it is not possible to see the tip of the drill vibrating with the naked eye. There is a specialised instrument known as a scanning laser vibrometer which not only measures this vibration, but is able to provide a picture of the pattern of the vibrating tip onto a computer screen. This will help us to understand how the tip of the drill is vibrating. For this research project we will be borrowing one of these very special instruments to compare the vibrations caused by different makes of drills.The vibrations caused by the drills will be measured when the drill tip is vibrating in air. Measurements of the vibrations will also be made when a tooth (which has already been extracted) is drilled.Questions to be answered include: - Will pressing down on the tooth make more vibration? If the drill is moved over the tooth during drilling will this a difference to the vibration?As this work is new and exciting we will want to show other people our results. This will be done via the Internet and at conferences in this country and abroad. A scientist under our guidance will perform the experiments. We are hoping that the results from this work will help manufacturers make new drills which cause less vibration. This will mean that in the future you may enjoy visiting the dentist!
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bham.ac.uk |