Biomedical Engineering Students Develop Prototype for Remote Robotic Dentistry

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US: A team of biomedical engineering students at South Dakota Mines has designed an initial prototype for remote robotic dentistry, in an effort to increase access to dental care in rural and isolated communities. The team has been working with a local dentist, Dr Chad Carpenter, who serves such communities in the remote corners of South Dakota. The team’s goal is to create an automated device that can be set up by a hygienist inside a local facility, enabling a dentist to remotely oversee the work using a robotic extension.

Logan Jundt, a senior biomedical engineering major, explains that “We’re trying to automate the drilling of cavities. The end goal is to have a 3D printed filling ready to be inserted into a predetermined cutting pathway.” The team believes that such a device could save both the patient and the dentist time.

Custom 3D-Printed Impression Trays

The team’s prototype uses custom 3D printed dentistry impression trays to secure the automated device to the mouth. The device includes a dental handpiece with three dimensions of movement to get to the area that needs attention. Some parts of the device are 3D printed specifically for each patient, and can be disposed of after each procedure to avoid the need to sterilize all parts of the device between each use.

The team recognizes that building a dental robot is a daunting task, and that FDA approval for new biomedical devices can take decades. However, they are excited about the potential for advanced robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to be added to the device in the future. They hope their prototype is the first of many to come in the years of product development ahead.

Stigma Against Dentistry and Robots

The team’s project has also faced challenges associated with the stigma around both dentists and robots. Jillian Linder, another senior biomedical engineering major, says that “It’s kind of a scary concept for some people, but people are becoming more accustomed to robotics over time.” The team believes that as robots become more accepted, it’s possible they could someday be more trusted than humans for procedures like this.

Scott Wood, Ph.D., the team’s advisor and an assistant professor in the newly formed Department of Nanoscience & Biomedical Engineering at Mines, praises the team’s work. “This is one of many examples of amazing research happening on all levels of our new and rapidly growing department,” he said.