An Assessment of the Sensory Function in the Maxillofacial Region: A Dual-Case Pilot Study

Trigeminal somatosensory-evoked potentials (TSEPs) provide valuable insight into neural responses to oral stimuli. This study investigates TSEP recording methods and their impact on interpreting results in clinical settings to improve the development process of neurostimulation-based therapies. The...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: João Maia Aguiar, José Machado da Silva, Carlos Fonseca, Jorge Marinho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3355
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849722496663683072
author João Maia Aguiar
José Machado da Silva
Carlos Fonseca
Jorge Marinho
author_facet João Maia Aguiar
José Machado da Silva
Carlos Fonseca
Jorge Marinho
author_sort João Maia Aguiar
collection DOAJ
description Trigeminal somatosensory-evoked potentials (TSEPs) provide valuable insight into neural responses to oral stimuli. This study investigates TSEP recording methods and their impact on interpreting results in clinical settings to improve the development process of neurostimulation-based therapies. The experiments and results presented here aim at identifying appropriate stimulation characteristics to design an active dental prosthesis capable of contributing to restoring the lost neurosensitive connection between the teeth and the brain. Two methods of TSEP acquisition, traditional and occluded, were used, each conducted by a different volunteer. Traditional TSEP acquisition involves stimulation at different sites with varying parameters to achieve a control base. In contrast, occluded TSEPs examine responses acquired under low- and high-force bite conditions to assess the influence of periodontal mechanoreceptors and muscle activation on measurements. Traditional TSEPs demonstrated methodological feasibility with satisfactory results despite a limited subject pool. However, occluded TSEPs presented challenges in interpreting results, with responses deviating from expected norms, particularly under high force conditions, due to the simultaneous occurrence of stimulation and dental occlusion. While traditional TSEPs highlight methodological feasibility, the occluded approach highlights complexities in outcome interpretation and urges caution in clinical application. Previously unreported results were achieved, which underscores the importance of conducting further research with larger sample sizes and refined protocols in order to strengthen the reliability and validity of TSEP assessments.
format Article
id doaj-art-fac6991bafcc46e6b2c33602864e4640
institution DOAJ
issn 1424-8220
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Sensors
spelling doaj-art-fac6991bafcc46e6b2c33602864e46402025-08-20T03:11:20ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-05-012511335510.3390/s25113355An Assessment of the Sensory Function in the Maxillofacial Region: A Dual-Case Pilot StudyJoão Maia Aguiar0José Machado da Silva1Carlos Fonseca2Jorge Marinho3INESC TEC—INESC Technology and Science, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalINESC TEC—INESC Technology and Science, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalFaculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalInstituto Português de Oncologia do Porto FG, EPE (IPO-Porto), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalTrigeminal somatosensory-evoked potentials (TSEPs) provide valuable insight into neural responses to oral stimuli. This study investigates TSEP recording methods and their impact on interpreting results in clinical settings to improve the development process of neurostimulation-based therapies. The experiments and results presented here aim at identifying appropriate stimulation characteristics to design an active dental prosthesis capable of contributing to restoring the lost neurosensitive connection between the teeth and the brain. Two methods of TSEP acquisition, traditional and occluded, were used, each conducted by a different volunteer. Traditional TSEP acquisition involves stimulation at different sites with varying parameters to achieve a control base. In contrast, occluded TSEPs examine responses acquired under low- and high-force bite conditions to assess the influence of periodontal mechanoreceptors and muscle activation on measurements. Traditional TSEPs demonstrated methodological feasibility with satisfactory results despite a limited subject pool. However, occluded TSEPs presented challenges in interpreting results, with responses deviating from expected norms, particularly under high force conditions, due to the simultaneous occurrence of stimulation and dental occlusion. While traditional TSEPs highlight methodological feasibility, the occluded approach highlights complexities in outcome interpretation and urges caution in clinical application. Previously unreported results were achieved, which underscores the importance of conducting further research with larger sample sizes and refined protocols in order to strengthen the reliability and validity of TSEP assessments.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3355trigeminal somatosensory-evoked potentialsdental implantselectroencephalographydental proprioceptionneurostimulationpilot project
spellingShingle João Maia Aguiar
José Machado da Silva
Carlos Fonseca
Jorge Marinho
An Assessment of the Sensory Function in the Maxillofacial Region: A Dual-Case Pilot Study
Sensors
trigeminal somatosensory-evoked potentials
dental implants
electroencephalography
dental proprioception
neurostimulation
pilot project
title An Assessment of the Sensory Function in the Maxillofacial Region: A Dual-Case Pilot Study
title_full An Assessment of the Sensory Function in the Maxillofacial Region: A Dual-Case Pilot Study
title_fullStr An Assessment of the Sensory Function in the Maxillofacial Region: A Dual-Case Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed An Assessment of the Sensory Function in the Maxillofacial Region: A Dual-Case Pilot Study
title_short An Assessment of the Sensory Function in the Maxillofacial Region: A Dual-Case Pilot Study
title_sort assessment of the sensory function in the maxillofacial region a dual case pilot study
topic trigeminal somatosensory-evoked potentials
dental implants
electroencephalography
dental proprioception
neurostimulation
pilot project
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3355
work_keys_str_mv AT joaomaiaaguiar anassessmentofthesensoryfunctioninthemaxillofacialregionadualcasepilotstudy
AT josemachadodasilva anassessmentofthesensoryfunctioninthemaxillofacialregionadualcasepilotstudy
AT carlosfonseca anassessmentofthesensoryfunctioninthemaxillofacialregionadualcasepilotstudy
AT jorgemarinho anassessmentofthesensoryfunctioninthemaxillofacialregionadualcasepilotstudy
AT joaomaiaaguiar assessmentofthesensoryfunctioninthemaxillofacialregionadualcasepilotstudy
AT josemachadodasilva assessmentofthesensoryfunctioninthemaxillofacialregionadualcasepilotstudy
AT carlosfonseca assessmentofthesensoryfunctioninthemaxillofacialregionadualcasepilotstudy
AT jorgemarinho assessmentofthesensoryfunctioninthemaxillofacialregionadualcasepilotstudy