Researchers at the University of Basel are creating a compact dental robot designed to attach inside a patient's mouth and assist with tooth drilling for crowns.
The device, known as the Miniature Intraoral Robot or MIR, features a bite-sized component that mounts to a custom dental splint on the teeth. Larger parts like the motor remain outside the mouth and connect through cables and a drive shaft.
The goal is to allow dentists to scan a patient's mouth and prepare a permanent crown in one visit, avoiding multiple appointments and temporary crowns currently required for tooth decay treatment.
The robot moves along with the patient's head and has undergone testing on ceramic teeth models. Developers plan to incorporate sensors and a camera for better positioning, including during power failures.
It remains in the prototype stage and is not yet approved for use on people.
