Applicative Characteristics of New Microelectronic Sensors Smart Retainer® and TheraMon® for Measuring Wear Time

Objective: To ascertain the extent to which the new microelectronic sensors Smart Retainer (R) and TheraMon (R) are suitable for measuring wear times in orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: The Smart Retainer (R) wear-time sensor and a prototype of the TheraMon (R) microsensor were each polymerized into upper plates. The orthodontic appliances were exposed to periodically altered temperatures in a thermostatic water bath. Results: The wear-time sensors recorded the changes in water temperatures as wear time (similar to 35 degrees C) or non-wear time (room temperature). The wear times stored in the sensors were displayed and printed outside the water bath as wear-time graphs via readout stations and computers. To be better able to predict their reliability and applicability in orthodontic treatment, we measured the accuracy of the two wear-time sensors by comparing the wear times recorded by the Smart Retainer (R) and TheraMon (R) with the programmed water temperatures. Conclusion: Both microelectronic sensors fulfilled the basic requirements for use as objective wear-time sensors in orthodontic appliances in clinical trials and routine orthodontic practice. As it can be incorporated into different orthodontic appliances, the smaller TheraMon (R) system offers greater versatility than the Smart Retainer (R). The TheraMon (R) also permits the accurate documentation and analysis of wear times down to the minute.