Measurement of bone conduction characteristics for transmitted vibration sounds of tooth drilling

PurposeIn this study, we measured the vibration caused during dental treatment by an air turbine handpiece and a micro motor handpiece. We then analyzed the obtained data to develop a method for noise cancellation of such vibration during the treatment of tooth decay. We herein describe the audio characteristics of bone conduction sound made by teeth during dental treatment. We measure vibration sounds of an air turbine handpiece and a micro motor handpiece transmitted from teeth to the middle and/or inner ear and obtain its bone conduction characteristics for reducing uncomfortable dental treatment sounds using active noise control technique in the future.MethodsFirst, we measure the frequency characteristics of both acoustic sounds and vibration sounds of two dental handpieces in a special treatment room. Second, we measure the frequency characteristics of bone conduction from teeth to the middle and/or inter ear by actuating a tooth with pure tones of several frequencies in an anechoic chamber.ResultsThe basic rotational frequency of an air turbine head tip with no-load was about 5,500 Hz. A decline of the rotational frequency was confirmed at the turbine head when the bar came in contact with the tooth, and it was proven that the tooth received the effect of the vibration, when the head made contact with the tooth. The results showed that the micro motor handpiece speed varied from a low of 140 to 210 Hz to a medium speed of 280 Hz and a high speed of 700 to 770 Hz. These results were higher than manufacturer's specifications of micro motor handpiece. The results of the bone conduction amplitude-frequency characteristics were the best audible amplitude-frequency was near 2,000 Hz in the upper and lower left central incisors.