Nanobots and the future of dentistry
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 22nd November 2021
It seems to me that with each passing year, the future of dentistry becomes more interesting. Indeed, it was only in recent years that digital technology has revolutionised how we provide care, and yet already these advances seem old hat in comparison to the potential advances of the future.
So, what has dentistry got in store? While there are countless potential ways our industry can continue to advance, one particularly interesting route is the creation and implementation of dental nanorobotics.
What is nanorobotics?
The term nanorobotics is something that does sound more at home in a dystopian sci-fi novel rather than healthcare, but it is an emerging field that is set to completely transform how care is provided in the future. Nanorobots, more commonly referred to as nanobots, is a descriptor applied to any robotic device that measures 0.1-10 micrometres. However, due to the extremely small scale of these devices, none have, as of yet, been successfully created.[i]
Instead, what people refer to as nanorobots in contemporary applications are often molecules that have been engineered to behave in a certain way. For example, drug delivery via “nanobots” has already been carried out successfully, and in these scenarios the nanobots are self-propelled nanomotors and other biodegradable nanodevices made of bio-nano components rather than miniscule machines.[ii]
Regardless of the definition, nanobots and the emerging technology is definitely something to keep an eye on, especially as the broader implications of this technology are likely to help professionals and patients to deliver a standard of dental care that is currently impossible. This would help to make certain treatments even more predictable than before and overcome some hurdles that we currently don’t have the technology to navigate.
Biological tooth repair
First of all, we need to appreciate the full scope of what nanobot technology could be capable of. As nanobots work on a molecular and cellular level, there’s no reason why they couldn’t be utilised to “rebuild” or repair damaged tissue and other biological matter.
In dentistry this could mean that, in theory, a whole tooth could be completely rebuilt, not only effectively treating minor problems like cavities but even extending to complex applications in orthodontics, where supporting tissues could be guided and controlled to ensure predictable tooth straightening. What makes this particularly appealing is that, if the technology allows this approach, these procedures could take mere minutes depending on the extent of the work required. We also need to consider what this would mean for our product selections – everyday materials such as composites would become redundant and we could instead shift even greater focus onto prevention instead of cure.
Enhanced treatment success
Granted, full repair of teeth via nanobot technology would be taking this technology to its zenith, but that’s not to mean that nanorobotics couldn’t significantly streamline care in other ways even if complete biological repair wasn’t achievable.
Dental implantology is notoriously complex, and the risk of peri-implantitis, nerve damage and other negative outcomes is significant. Nanobots could be programmed to help negate these risks and maximise implant placement, enhancing navigational surgery so that the best possible chance of osseointegration is achieved.
What about endodontics? As nanobots have been proven to deliver certain drugs and substances, sterilisation of tooth canals (or, indeed, any part of the oral cavity) could be achieved at a molecular level, completely eliminating the chance of infection. They may also be utilised to provide pain-relieving drugs as an alternative to current anaesthetic procedures. Really, once we shrink any part of treatment to a molecular level, the possibilities continue to mount, meaning that nothing, within reason, is impossible.
Prevention as standard
We may even see nanobots become an important part of oral disease prevention from day one. For example, should nanobots be injected into people’s bloodstreams and engineered to target any abnormalities, this could battle bacteria entering the bloodstream or any inflammatory responses the body has to bacteria. As we know, the link between periodontal disease and conditions such as stroke and cardiovascular disorders is significant, so in a broader perspective nanobots could not only curtail gingival disease but also help prevent significant health problems. Nanobots may even be engineered to target plaque bacteria and clean the teeth in a way that current methods simply can’t achieve – if the technology is achieved, it won’t be long until the whole of healthcare, not just dentistry, is transformed for the better.
The future is full of potential
Nanorobotics remains a hypothetical area at this time. However, that doesn’t mean that this technology is just a pipe dream. There have already been breakthroughs in which engineered molecular nanobots have been used to eliminate biofilm, so this technology may be closer than we think.[iii]
In terms of adoption, consider how fast the internet transformed the world and how we have embraced this technology in a relatively short time – nanotechnology could be a similar story, so let’s see how this chapter unfolds.
EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.
For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999
Or visit www.endocare.co.uk
[i] Science Daily. Nanorobotics. Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/nanorobotics.htm [Last accessed September 21].
[ii] Nanowerk. What are nanobots? Link: https://www.nanowerk.com/what-are-nanobots.php [Last accessed September 21].
[iii] Digital Trends. Who Needs A Toothbrush When You Have a Swarm of Tooth-Cleaning Nanobots? Link: https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/cleaning-teeth-tiny-nanorobots/ [Last accessed September 21].
