Micro-Robots May Soon Rid You of Dental Plaque!

The hygienist can cause a lot of anxiety for some of us. All the scraping, poking and prodding is enough to push almost anyone over the edge. It could be that this is soon to change, though. And that’s got a few of us here at Wellness more than a little excited (and some of us a little terrified, too).

Thanks to an army of small robots trips to the dentist may soon get a lot more high-tech. Designed to clean plaque from tooth surfaces and crevices, the tiny robots may soon move across your teeth, diligently removing the biofilms that live there.

A team of engineers, biologists and dentists have announced their creation of a microscopic robotic cleaning crew for the mouth. The precision-controlled team removes biofilms such as bacteria and plaque from teeth and the spaces between them. The automated system is currently being prepared for clinical trials. When will micro-robots become mainstream in dental offices?  

Plaque Removal in the Modern Era

Teeth are covered by a bacteria-riddled, sticky film called plaque. If left to grow, plaque can lead to gum disease, cavities and tooth loss. What’s more, the bacteria in the plaque causes bad breath and can cause tartar buildup. Plaque is just an all-around bad substance that must be removed often through regular cleanings.

In addition to brushing, flossing and rinsing at home, the American Dental Association recommends that you work closely with your dentist to figure out how many professional cleanings you need each year. As part of a professional cleaning, usually with a dental hygienist, technicians take steps to remove plaque and tartar. No robots are involved (yet). Instead, they rely on metal tools called planers to scrape away biofilms and tartar.

The Science of Plaque Robots

Though that may now start to change as these micro-robots are poised to replace the cringeworthy metal tools that dentists use today. To date, scientists have created 2 types of plaque robots. One works on the surface of the teeth, while the other works in the confined spaces between the teeth. They are called catalytic antimicrobial robots or CARs.

The surface robot relies on a solution containing iron-oxide nanoparticles. The solution is placed on the surface of the teeth and moved across the teeth, much like a plow through snow, with the help of magnets. The second type of robot also uses iron-oxide nanoparticles. However, they are placed into molds and passed through their target.

Plaque Robots and the Future

Dental micro-bots are more effective than modern teeth cleaning methods because they reach places that toothbrushes and dental tools simply can’t. This alone stands to revolutionize dental care.

But these robots may have some other applications (both medical and non-medical) as well. For example, micro-robots may be used to clean the inside of a catheter or water line.

If this is exciting, well, you’ll have to hold your horses. And if it’s terrifying, then, good news — it may still be a while before micro-robots come to your local dentist office. Researchers are moving toward clinical trials with the help of the Penn Center for Health, Devices, and Technology. On average, it takes 3 to 7 years to bring a new medical device to market.

Robots are changing the way we live, work, drive and soon, clean our teeth. What’s more, they are more accurate and reliable than humans will ever be. For this reason, however you feel about it, you can expect to see more robotic breakthroughs in the future.