Examination of the Communication Environment When Applying Removable Dentures as Wearable Devices

Introduction Using removable dentures as wearable devices will be beneficial for patients at home. This study aimed to clarify the communication environment when applying integrated circuit (IC) tags to removable dentures, considering the effects of saliva, encapsulation depth, and encapsulation materials. Methods Fifteen specimens were made for each encapsulating depth (4.5 mm, 5.0 mm, 5.5 mm, 6.0 mm), and the IC tags were encapsulated in various dental materials. Reading and writing were performed on the IC tags, and the number of test specimens that could communicate at each depth before and after immersion was calculated. Results In the control group, which was not encapsulated in dental materials, communication was feasible up to a depth of 5.5 mm in all test specimens, but communication was unfeasible at 6 mm. In all other materials, communication was feasible up to an encapsulation depth of 5.0 mm in all test specimens, regardless of immersion in artificial saliva, but communication was unfeasible at depths of 5.5 mm or more. Conclusions The encapsulation depth of the IC tag and the dental materials used for encapsulating the tag affected communication capability, but immersion in artificial saliva did not. The possibility of using removable dentures as wearable devices is thus suggested.