The iron oxide nanoparticles microbot effectively removed plaque on teeth. These nanoparticles have magnetic and catalytic properties that prevent tooth decay by releasing an antimicrobial substance. (Image Credit: Minjun Oh/Penn Dental Medicine)
Wouldn't life be easier if tiny robots could perform basic hygienic tasks for humans, like brushing teeth? That's the idea behind the University of Pennsylvania's microbot magnetic field-controlled toothbrush that changes shape into bristle-like structures to remove plaque on the teeth's surface or strings to floss between teeth. It also releases an antimicrobial substance to kill hazardous bacteria from the mouth. These microbots, made of iron oxide nanoparticles, could help curb oral diseases without having to floss and brush manually.
"Routine oral care is cumbersome and can pose challenges for many people, especially those who have hard time cleaning their teeth" says Hyun (Michel) Koo, a professor at Penn's School of Dental Medicine and co-corresponding author of the study. "You have to brush your teeth, then floss your teeth, then rinse your mouth; it's a manual, multistep process. The big innovation here is that the robotics system can do all three in a single, hands-free, automated way."
"Nanoparticles can be shaped and controlled with magnetic fields in surprising ways," says Edward Steager, a senior research investigator in Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science and co-corresponding author. "We form bristles that can extend, sweep, and even transfer back and forth across a space, much like flossing. The way it works is similar to how a robotic arm might reach out and clean a surface. The system can be programmed to do the nanoparticle assembly and motion control automatically."
First, the team optimized the microbots' motions on bristle-like material. Afterward, they relied on 3D-printed tooth models to test the system's functionality on a complex tooth surface, interdental surface, and gum line. Lastly, they performed experiments on real human teeth that replicated the "position of teeth in the oral cavity." They discovered the system effectively removed sticky biofilms responsible for cavities and oral diseases on those surfaces.
This infographic details how the microbots form into different shapes along with their functionality. (Image Credit: Melissa Pappas/Penn Engineering)
Since the system is fully programmable, the team can adjust the microbots' motions and control the bristle stiffness and length through magnetic field variations. As a result, the bristles' tips can form a firm and soft shape to remove biofilms without harming the gums. The team says it can be used for clinical purposes and adapt to a patient's oral cavity due to the system's customizability.
Now, the researchers are further optimizing the motions to make them applicable to dental clinics. They're also exploring different techniques to deliver the system through mouth-fitting devices. "We have this technology that's as or more effective as brushing and flossing your teeth but doesn't require manual dexterity," says Koo. "We'd love to see this helping the geriatric population and people with disabilities. We believe it will disrupt current modalities and majorly advance oral health care."
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