It’s seeming inevitable that just about everyone from elementary school kids to grandparents in their 90s are embracing cell phones. If you are of driving age, you may live in a state that has laws in place demanding that if you talk on a phone in your car, you have a hands free device. Many people turn to something called a bluetooth as their cell microphone. Recognizing the prevalence and power of these small electronic tools, researchers at the National Taiwan University are in the process of developing an artificial tooth which can send and receive transmissions. Embedded into a dental prosthetic, these bluetooth “teeth” are not for talking on the phone, however. The idea is that they may provide your dentist with data regarding the state of your dental health.
Dental Innovations
Your body is complex. So many different parts must work in conjunction to provide optimal health and wellness. If you really think about it, there’s no wonder that researchers in the dental field might search for a way to combine your physical beings with the powers of computers in some way. National Taiwan University researchers believe that tiny sensors in the mouth could provide valuable information regarding dental habits and their relation to oral and overall health issues. Oral-systemic risk factors might be directly traceable, for instance, to the frequency of poor lifestyle habits such as too much alcohol consumption, poor diet, and smoking.
Digital Teeth?
The first prototype of the dental sensor has been designed to specifically fit into an artificial tooth, similar to a crown. Similar to a bluetooth device, the receiver can transmit your information to a smart phone. To test the sensors, eight volunteers of mixed gender had wired versions of the device installed in their mouth. The participants were instructed to carry out every day tasks such as chewing gum, coughing, yawning, drinking, and speaking. The sensor was able to discern each activity with 93.8% accuracy. This scientists are hard at work on the next phase which is a battery operated prototype.
Visit Your Winnetka Cosmetic Dentist
One day, this incredible science might change the way dentist’s examine your teeth, but for now, keep up with your six month dental checkups. If you should have aesthetic issues with your teeth, schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist in Winnetka, you can reach Dr. Engelberg and our 60061 dentist office at 847-259-8030. We are happy to provide dental bonding, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and other procedures, serving patients in Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Northwest Chicago Suburbs, and Northern Chicago Suburbs.
