PENNSYLVANIA: A robotic microswarm of magnetic field-controlled microbots can initiate the process of brushing, rinsing and flossing for humans. A team of researchers are in the process of developing this intriguing technology.
This robotic micro warm may shapeshift to become a toothbrush, mouth rinse, and dental floss in one. The technology has been developed by the multidisciplinary team at the University of Pennsylvania, to best perform the daily mundane tasks surrounding oral care.
"Routine oral care is cumbersome and can pose challenges for many people, especially those who have hard time cleaning their teeth" says Hyun Koo, a Professor in the Department of Orthodontics, Community Oral Health and Pediatric Dentistry in Penn's School of Dental Medicine and co-corresponding author on the study.
The structural composition of these microrobots (iron oxide nanoparticles that have magnetic activity) can altered to form either bristle-like structures to sweep away the dental plaque bio-film from the surfaces of teeth, or elongated strings that can slip between teeth like a length of floss.
