Bone presents different systemic functionalities as calcium phosphate reservoir, organ protection, among others. For that reason, the bone health conditions are essential to keep in equilibrium the metabolism of several body systems. Different technologies exist to diagnose bone conditions with invasive methods based on ionizing radiation. Therefore, there is a challenge to develop new ways to evaluate bone alterations in a noninvasive form. This study shows the assessment of a piezo-actuated device acting on a human tooth for the bio-monitoring of bone alterations. The bone diagnosis is performed by applying the electromechanical impedance technique (EMI), commonly used in structural health monitoring. For the experimental tests, five bone samples were prepared, and one was chosen as the monitoring. All samples were put in a decalcifying substance (TBD1 acid-base) at different times to emulate localized bone mineral alterations. Bone reductions were computed by using X-ray micro-computed tomography analyzing the morphometry. Electrical resistance measurements (piezo-device) were taken for the monitoring specimen meanwhile it was partially decalcified during 8520 seconds. In the frequency spectrum, several observation windows showed that the bone alterations gradually changed the electrical resistance signals which were quantified statistically. Results evidenced that the bone density changes are correlated with the electrical resistance measurements; these changes presented an exponential behavior as much as in the calculated index, and bone mineral reduction. The results demonstrated that bone alterations exhibit linear dependence with the computed statistical indexes. This result confirms that it is possible to observe the bone changes from the teeth as a future application.

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Bone is a dynamic biological tissue that acts as the primary rigid support of the body. Several systemic factors are responsible for pathologies that negatively affect its structural attributes. Although the bone is in continuous renewal by osteogenesis, metabolic diseases are the most common affectations that alter its natural equilibrium. Different techniques based on ionizing radiation are used for the bone diagnosis restrictively. However, if these are not used adequately, the application could present risks for human health. In this paper, it is proposed and explored a new technique to apply an early-stage diagnosis of bone variations. The technique evaluates bone structural conditions from the teeth (used as probes) by applying a structural health monitoring (SHM) methodology. An experimental procedure is described to identify the stiffness variations produced by mechanical drillings done in prepared bone samples. The identification is carried out applying the electromechanical impedance technique (EMI) through a piezo-actuated device in the frequency spectrum 5–20kHz. Three bone samples with incorporated teeth (three teeth, two teeth, and one tooth) were prepared to emulate a mandibular portion of alveolar bone-PDL (periodontal ligament)-tooth system. Piezo-device was attached to the crown of the tooth with an orthodontic bracket allowing the teeth to act as probes. The electrical resistance measurements were computed with an electrical decoupling approach that improved the detection of the drillings; it was due to the increment of the sensitivity of the signals. The results showed that the bone mass reduction is correlated with statistical indices obtained in specific frequency intervals of the electrical resistance. This work suggests the possibility of a future application addressed to a bone diagnosis in a non-invasive way.