The world is evolving, and with it, the growing importance of self-care. Every day, new medical devices enter the market, each promising a solution to our health and wellness needs. It can sometimes feel overwhelming. At AJProTech, in collaboration with Asesso Health and William Cliff, we’ve taken a thoughtful approach to simplify this. Together, we’ve designed a dental device to help those suffering from headaches and issues caused by TMJ disorder or bruxism.
Our team focused on blending cutting-edge technology with seamless design to create a product that truly addresses these challenges. Through careful research and development, we applied innovative solutions to enhance comfort and efficiency, all while keeping user experience at the forefront. This isn’t just about creating another device—it’s about making a meaningful impact on your well-being.
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About the Asesso Health team
With over 25 years of experience in dental treatment, Dr. William Cliff discovered the challenges of bruxism and its impact on patients’ health. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, may seem like a minor issue until it leads to serious problems. Headaches, sleepless nights, jaw pain, and nasal issues are just some of the troubles that can arise as a result of bruxism. However, they cannot be solved with pills or mixtures, so William Cliff approached our company with the idea of designing a device that could detect and prevent teeth grinding.
Wellness Device Design: Idea
The design story of Asesso’s innovative teeth grinding device is driven by personalization and precision. Partnering with AJProTech, Asesso Health set out to tackle two key challenges: detecting and preventing teeth grinding. Combining our expertise in real-time feedback technology with modern aesthetics and precision engineering, we created a first smart solution with real-time feedback that redefines TMJ care.
The Sensor Module Design
Considering the mouth guard for preventing teeth from touching there were some solutions on the market (we’ll tell you about it later), but the main challenge was to create the device for detecting teeth grinding with maximum accuracy. Moreover it should be a sensor placed somewhere on the face that doesn’t disrupt a person’s dream (because teeth grinding usually happens spontaneously during sleep).
The bean shape was chosen as the most suitable for chin placement—the area of the face where the movement amplitude is greatest during bruxism.
A sensitive accelerometer inside the sensor module detects teeth movement during night and transmits this data to a mobile app, allowing users to see the measurement results. How to attach this module to the chin was tested by several team members. They took prototypes home and tested it during sleep.
The sensor module stays in contact with the skin during the night, and it had to be made from an anti-allergic material to prevent itching or irritation.
Due to the sensor module’s small size, the AJProTech team followed a trusted development process: first, they created a larger PCB to ensure all necessary components were placed correctly. They then tested it, retested it, and tested it once more. Only after confirming that all components functioned smoothly did they scale it down.
One more feature of the sensor module is that it can keep the data up to 8 days and transfers it to the mobile app only in charging position. It helps to save time without charging and not to care that the information will be lost. The Asesso Health device operates on a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) that efficiently manages essential functions, including data collection and Bluetooth communication. The firmware has been precisely optimized to increase operating time and improve power efficiency.
The Splint Design
There are different types of mouth guards in the market now. You can choose a universal one but it wasn’t the best solution for AJProTech. Teeth vary significantly from person to person, making it impractical to design a single splint that fits everyone.
Designing a custom-made splint was quite a difficult and costly process but we needed to design a desktop application with a user-friendly interface that even an uneducated person can make the splint. Now with the help of teeth pictures it became possible to create a mouth guard that takes all aspects of teeth metrics into consideration.
Using the Asesso™ App, you’ll capture photos of your teeth, which will be automatically sent to a licensed endodontic specialist for a comprehensive diagnosis. Based on this assessment, your Asesso™ GrindGuard is custom-crafted to ensure a precise fit, prioritizing your comfort and care—because your needs are as unique as you are.
The Case Design
The next step was to design a case that seamlessly stores the splint while simultaneously charging the sensor module. Beyond functionality, aesthetics were a priority—the case needed to feel great in hand and look elegant.
To enhance usability, we integrated a built-in UV-light system to disinfect the splint after each use. Since direct UV exposure can be harmful to the eyes, the cover was intentionally darkened for safety.
Precision and ease of use drove every design decision. Embedded magnets ensure perfect alignment between the sensor module and the charging contacts, preventing any misalignment. A carefully engineered satisfying “click” confirms secure closure, providing reassurance that the case is fully shut.
This modern, beautifully crafted case is designed for versatility—compact enough to slip into a bag or pocket.
Scaling Up: The First Production Run
What makes this project truly exciting is that our collaboration didn’t end with designing the sensor, splint, and case—we took it a step further. Leveraging our R&D center in Taiwan, we oversaw the first production run, using high-precision injection molding to manufacture the initial 500 units for the pilot phase.
This marks a major milestone, but we know it’s just the beginning!
If you’re looking to develop your own innovative hardware device, let’s talk about how our team can bring your vision to life!
