本研究主要目的為設計製作具有超音波輔助洗淨功能之電動牙刷雛形系統,以清除附著在牙齒表面上之牙菌斑,進而保持口腔清潔以及預防常見之蛀牙、牙周病等牙科疾病。本研究以振動馬達作為牙刷刷頭之振動驅動來源,配合安置於刷頭上之超音波換能器,使刷頭以機械振動並同時發射超音波的方式來清洗牙齒表面。在波場分析方面,以模擬超音波換能器在牙齒表面所形成之波場強度與分佈情形,選用適合之超音波換能器之驅動頻率、尺寸及刷毛長度。在超音波驅動電路方面,以L-type阻抗匹配網路來減少驅動訊號之反射及改善功率之輸出。在超音波輸出功率測試中,實際量測安置在水中刷頭上之超音波換能器輸出功率約0.2(W/平方公分)。最後經由牙菌斑指數來評估此裝置對於黏附於牙齒表面之牙菌斑的清除效果。初步試驗結果,使用本研究研發之機械式振動超音波牙刷可使試驗前具有牙菌斑指數20%之牙齒,經洗刷後降低為2%左右。與對照組比較可知,本裝置對牙菌斑清除之效果有顯著之改進。
The purpose of this study is to develop a prototype of ultrasonic toothbrush, which is able to reduce the bacterial plaque on the tooth surface, and maintain the oral hygiene from the diseases This powered toothbrush is designed to clean the tooth surface by the mechanism of ultrasound and mechanical vibration The ultrasound intensity distribution on the tooth surface is calculated by the computer simulation to determine the adequate parameters such as the driving frequency. dimensions of the transducer, and brush length The L-type matching circuit is used in the circuit of this system to reduce the reflection and improve the efficiency We have designed a system to measure the output acoustic power of the transducer and found that the output power of the transducer is 0.2W Finally, the efficiency of cleaning bacterial plaque is evaluated by the plaque index The results show that the tooth with about 20% plaque index could be reduced to about 2% plaque index by this instrument This ultrasound toothbrush with mechanical vibration can effectively reduce the dental plaque index from tooth surfaces