CentricEasy

Project Overview

CentricEasy is a clinical measurement device redesigned to assist dentists in determining the correct mandibular position in elderly patients experiencing loss of natural jaw alignment due to tooth loss or aging-related degeneration. Accurate jaw positioning is critical for denture fabrication and prosthodontic rehabilitation, where small measurement errors can significantly impact patient comfort and treatment outcomes.

Problem Context

Existing versions of the device suffered from instability due to belt slippage and inconsistent head fixation, leading to unreliable measurements and increased clinician effort during patient setup.

Fig. Existing Device Design

Clinical Context

Dentists use jaw measurement devices during prosthodontic assessment to determine the correct mandibular position before denture fabrication. Accurate positioning is critical as small deviations can lead to discomfort, poor bite alignment, and repeated clinical adjustments.

Design Objective

Improve measurement reliability, patient stability, and ease of clinical operation while ensuring repeatable jaw positioning during assessment.

Fig. quick initial prototype to check posture alignment

Key Design Decisions

Shift from Head Stabilization to Support

Reduce Adjustment Points

Improved contact geometry

Design Concept

The redesign replaces the head-strap stabilization with support from the sternum to improve device stability during jaw measurement. Using a more stable anatomical reference reduces device slippage and helps maintain consistent alignment throughout the assessment. This allows more reliable and repeatable jaw positioning while improving ease of use for clinicians and comfort for patients.

Usability Testing & Prototype

fig. usability tests were done on different people to understand comfort with the device