Research
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a miniature robot, called MIR (Miniature Intraoral Robot), that could streamline the process of preparing teeth for dental crowns. The prototype, about the size of a wine cork, is designed to fit comfortably inside an open mouth and precisely remove tooth material according to a digital plan.
The robot measures just 43 by 26 by 28 millimeters, with its motors and control system located externally and connected via flexible drive shafts, cables, and tubes. The idea originated from researchers at the University of Zurich, who also contributed to the development. The team presented the robot in a paper in IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics.
“It is designed to be small enough to fit comfortably into an open mouth,” says Dr Yukiko Tomooka, first author of the paper.
The concept envisions that after a single scan, dentists could plan the precise removal of tooth material and order the permanent crown, potentially reducing the number of appointments needed. The current prototype demonstrates the feasibility of the approach, though further development is required before clinical use.
Source: Robohub