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Robotics in Dentistry: The Next Generation

Technology

By DRHINDOL (HTTPS://DENTALREACH.TODAY/AUTHOR/DRHINDOL/)  December 3, 2019  1

(https://dentalreach.today/dental-education/robotics-in-dentistry-the-next-generation-technology/)  125 views

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Table of Contents 
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Application of Dental Robotics
3.1. Dental Patient Robots
3.2. Endo Micro Robot
3.3. Dental Nanorobots
3.4. Surgical Robots
3.5. Dental Implantology Robot
3.6. Robotic Dental Drill
3.7. Tooth-Arrangement Robot
3.8. Orthodontic Archwire Bending Robot
 4. Conclusion
4.1. References

Abstract
With advancements in technology, robots are being used in every sector of science today; because
of their ability to do precise work without exhaustion it has made its way into dentistry as well. This
short review of literature discusses the application of dental robotics ranging from patient robots
to robots used in endodontics, oral surgery, implantology, prosthodontics and orthodontics.

Keywords: Dental robots, Dental technology, Dental advancements

Introduction
The art of application of robotics in the eld of dentistry is quite fascinating. One of the most
marvellous creations of the human beings is the robot, these machines can imitate life. Robots
minimise human error, increases work ef ciency and decreases the working time for a speci ed
task. Robots can even ful l some jobs that are beyond human capability. It uses technology to
increase the quality and safety of a variety of tasks with high precision based on control, feedback
and processing. A robot can mimic a wide range of human characteristics and nd its uses in all
aspects of our life. Today, arti cial intelligence and dentistry go hand in hand to carry out variety of
dental procedures effectively and ef ciently(1).

Application of Dental Robotics

Dental Patient Robots

For the purpose of clinical training for dentists and dental students, and to develop their clinical
skills and experience in a patient, dental patient robots have been designed to mimic real-life
treatment scenarios. They are popularly known as “Phantoms”(2).

Showa Hanako is a realistic robot that can perform a variety of patient gestures and reactions
such as blinking, sneezing, coughing, rolling of eyes, shaking its head, moving its tongue and
even get fatigue for mouth opening for too long. It can simulate gag re ex, making it no
different from an actual patient. It was created in Tokyo, Japan by Showa University with
assistance from the robotics company Tmsuk.
Geminoid DK was invented in Japan at Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute. It is
a remotely controlled robot with advanced motion-capture technology that can do human
facial expressions and different head motions.
 Simroid is a next generation dental training robot manufactured at The Nippon Dental
University Kokoro aimed to access the student’s attitude towards the patients while doing a
procedure rather than the technique. The robot can perceive pain and express discomfort
based on the sensors in the mouth implicating negativity and making the students conscious. It
has a arti cial skin that can even tear easily if the mouth is kept wide open. It also reacts and
responds to questions or commands because of speech recognition abilities that allow the
students to develop communication skills as well. The robot nally evaluates and rate the
treatment based on the reading of its sensors and the two cameras that record the entire
procedure(3).

Endo Micro Robot

This robot was developed to enhance the accuracy of endodontic treatment & provide quality root
canal therapy. With the help of advanced computer assisted endodontic technology through online
supervision & intelligent system, the endo micro robot accomplish automatic drilling, cleaning-
shaping & three dimensional lling of the root canal system(4). It offers precise treatment with no
error giving less stress to the dentist.

Dental Nanorobots
Nanorobots are made of nanomaterials measured in the size of nanometers. These robots are
based on the implementation of nanotechnology for cavity preparation, restoration, dentin
hypersensitivity, local anaesthesia, single visit orthodontic realignment, nanorobotic dentifrice
(dentifrobots), local drug delivery, tooth repair, etc(5). The nanoscopic dental robots offer fast &
precise treatment.

Surgical Robots
Application of robotics in oral and maxillofacial surgery where the surgeon interactively programs
the robot at the time of the surgery following which the robot does the preprogrammed task in the
operation theatre such as milling and drilling of bones, osteotomy cuts, selecting and positioning of
plates, surgical planning, etc(6).

Dental Implantology Robot

The latest system of computer assisted surgery for guided implant placement is accomplished by
getting 3D constructed model that resembles the patient’s jaw obtained from cone beam CT
imaging data. The robot is then implemented to drill a jaw splint at the site determined by a
software planning system which makes a surgical guide(7).

Robotic Dental Drill

Recent advancements designed by tactile technologies where very thin needles pierce the gum to
determine the location of the alveolar bone in an immobilised patient’s jaw, which is then
transmitted to a PC wirelessly and amalgamated with CT scan data that provides a set of drill
guides(8).

Tooth-Arrangement Robot

Commonly used in the eld of prosthetic dentistry, a single manipulator robotic system is used for
the fabrication of complete denture prosthesis using 6DOF (degree of freedom) CRS robot
manufactured in Canada. A three-dimensional virtual tooth arrangement programming software
undertakes the entire procedure(9).

Orthodontic Archwire Bending Robot

Robotic technology is used for automatically bending orthodontic archwires to a speci c shape.
The bending equipment known as SureSmile archwire bending robot, where there are gripping
tools and resistive heating system combined with the application of CAD/CAM, 3D imaging and
computers for the fabrication of orthodontic appliances(10).

Conclusion
Arti cial intelligence and robotics is replacing human with more sophisticated technologies. It is
time for the dentists and dental students to use this wonderful robots in their clinical practice as
they will offer high quality of work in less chair-side time. Robots will change the future of dentistry
forever to an extraordinary level if the patient accepts and is open to modern technology.

References
1. Rawtiya M, Verma K, Sethi P, Loomba K. Application of Robotics in Dentistry. Indian J Dent Adv
2014; 6:1700‑6.
2. Schulz M J, Shao VN, Yun Y. Nanomedicine Design of Particles, Sensors, Motors, Implants,
Robots, and Devices, Artech House, 2009; 10.
3. Bansal A, Bansal V, Popli G, Keshri N, Khare G, Goel S. Robots in Head and Neck Surgery. J Appl
Dent Med Sci 2016; 2:168‑75.
4. Dong J, Hong S, Hesselgren G. WIP: A Study on the Development of Endodontic Micro Robot.
Proceedings of the 2006 IJME‑INTERTECH Conference; 2006.
5. Lumbini P, Agarwal P, Kalra M, Krishna K M. Nanorobotics in Dentistry. Ann Dent Spec 2014;
2:95‑6.
6. Lueth T C, Hein A, Albrecht J, Demirtas M, Zachow S, Heissler E, Klein M, Menneking H,
Hommel G, Bier J. A Surgical Robot System for Maxillofacial Surgery. IEEE Int. Conf. on
 Industrial Electronics, Control, and Instrumentation (IECON), Aachen, Germany, 1998; 2470-
2475.
7. Xiaojun W C, Yanping L A Computer-Aided Oral Implantology System. IEEE Engineering in
Medicine and Biology 27th Annual Conference, Shanghai, China, 2005; 3312-3315.
8. Palep J H (2009) Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery. J Min Access Surgery 5(1):1-7.
9. Zhang Y, Ma J, Zhao Y, Peijun L, Wang Y (2008) Kinematic Analysis of tooth-arrangement robot
with serial-parallel joints. IEEE, Hunan, China, 624-628.
10. Rigelsford J (2004) Robotic bending of orthodontic
(http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/ir.2004.04931fad.007?journalCode=ir)
archwires. Industrial Robot 31(6): 321-335.
(http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/ir.2004.04931fad.007?journalCode=ir)

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