Tiny Dental Robot Developed to Streamline Crown Procedures

Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland are developing a novel dental robot prototype, dubbed MIR (Miniature Intraoral Robot), designed to automate the precise preparation of teeth for crowns. This innovation aims to streamline the dental workflow, potentially reducing the number of appointments needed for crown placement.

The current process for fitting a crown often involves multiple dental visits. After removing decay, dentists shape the tooth, take an impression, and fit a temporary crown. The permanent crown is then fabricated and fitted in a subsequent appointment.

MIR is designed to fit onto a custom-fitted dental splint, which is created from a patient's scan. This splint attaches the robot to the teeth, allowing it to move with the patient's head. The robot follows a digital treatment plan, using drills to reduce the tooth surface and shape the sides. Researchers state that the prototype measures approximately 43 by 26 by 28 millimeters and is designed to fit comfortably within an open mouth without obstructing the dentist's view.

In laboratory tests on synthetic tooth models and ceramic materials with hardness similar to tooth enamel, MIR demonstrated a positional error of less than 0.2 millimeters. The forces generated during drilling were also measured to be below five newtons, a level the University of Basel compares to the gravitational force of a half-liter bottle of water. The team is also evaluating the robot's noise levels.

Despite these advancements, MIR remains a prototype and is not yet ready for clinical use. The research team plans to incorporate sensors and a camera into the system to allow it to track its position and monitor the treatment process in real-time. This added awareness is crucial for ensuring safety, particularly the ability for the robot to resume precise positioning even after a power interruption.

The development of MIR is a collaborative effort involving researchers from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Basel, the University of Zurich, Camlog Biotechnologies, and the University of Bern's ARTORG Center, with sponsorship from Innosuisse. The findings were published in IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics.

If successful, MIR could contribute to a more digital and efficient dental treatment process, potentially reducing the time and number of visits patients need for crown procedures. However, further research and development, particularly in safety and real-world application testing, are required before this technology can be implemented in dental practices.