Abstract
This study aims at comparing the technology of fibre optics to that of electrical strain gauges (ESG) when both are used in the field of dentistry. It compares the accuracy and sensitivity of the strain gauges versus that of optical fibres under the same loading conditions. Results showed that the accuracy of strain gauges is slightly better than that of fibre optics sensor (FOS). However, the errors in the fibre readings showed a pattern that was repeatable in every measurement series and therefore could be corrected through a simple calibration procedure. On the other hand the sensitivity of the FOS was much better than the ESG. Results also showed that using optical sources of lower wavelength improved the sensitivity as well as the accuracy of the optical system.