There's another breakthrough in the field of dental care.
A group of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has created "shapeshifting microbots" that has the ability to brush, floss, and even rinse teeth, according to WION.
Moreover, the robotic dental care is made up of iron. It is magnetic, and has the capability to form "bristle-like structures" and "string-like shapes."
Robotic Dental Care Will Aid People Who Lack Manual Dexterity
According to Interesting Engineering, the newly invented robotic dental care is automated, which has the ability to adapt to the shape of the teeth of the user.
Moreover, it is said to have the capability to clean teeth "more efficiently than the toothbrush and dental floss."
"Routine oral care is cumbersome and can pose challenges for many people, especially those who have a hard time cleaning their teeth," said Hyun Michel Koo, a professor at University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine and a study co-author.
Therefore, the robotic system of the newly invented dental care could be particularly useful for those people who do not have the manual dexterity to clean their teeth effectively.
The robotic dental care is known as surface topography-adaptive robotic superstructures (STARS).
It is made up of "precision-guided microrobots made of iron oxide nanoparticles," as per Interesting Engineering. The robotic system has both catalytic and magnetic activity.
The nanoparticles can also be shaped and controlled with magnetic fields in particular ways.
With the use of the magnetic field, the microbots' motion can be directed to form bristle-like structures that removes dental plaque from the surfaces of teeth.
Moreover, the microbots can also be directed to form elongated strings that can slip between teeth like how a floss works.
Robotic System Offers a Big Innovation in Dental Care
According to Edward Steager, a study co-author from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science, the big innovation in the robotic dental care is that the robotics system can do brushing, flossing and rinsing, in a single, hands-free, automated way.
All of the pits and fissures, including the gingival crevices, as well as other difficult-to-reach locations in the mouth can be accessed by the swarm of microbots, according to Interesting Engineering.
Since the robotic dental care has the capability to adapt to different surfaces, it can guarantee to clean both straight or misaligned teeth.
You can also set the bristles to how stiff or soft you want it to be. You can use stiffer bristles to clean the hard surface of the teeth.
On the other hand, if you're going to clean the gums or some parts of the teeth near the gums, you may be opted to use the softer bristle.
Another advantage of this robotic system is you will be able "to control and program the microrobots" based on your own sensitivity, said Interesting Engineering.
The U.S. Food and Drugs Administration have approved the usage of the iron oxide nanoparticles. In addition, the bristle formations do not harm the gum tissue based on tests conducted on an animal model.
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