AI-Powered Dental Fillings May Be First Step Toward Smart Materials
The ADA Forsyth Institute has received a $6.2 million grant to develop AI-powered dental fillings that can repair themselves and fight off harmful bacteria. This groundbreaking innovation will accelerate dental care advancements, setting the stage for smarter and more durable dental materials.
The American Dental Association Forsyth Institute (AFI) has been awarded a prestigious $6.2 million grant by the National Institute of Oral and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to create next-generation smart dental materials. This cutting-edge project will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to design dental fillings that feature self-healing and antimicrobial properties. These fillings are engineered to react to biological signals in the mouth, such as cracks or changes in pH levels, and automatically initiate repairs or neutralize harmful acids.
Jirun Sun, PhD, is leading a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with a digital engineering firm that specializes in digital twin technologies. By combining AI-driven simulations with physics-based models, the team aims to drastically speed up the testing and development of these materials. This approach eliminates the need for decades of traditional trial and error by using virtual simulations to optimize designs more quickly and effectively.
The smart dental material will be designed as a viable replacement for amalgam fillings, which are durable and cost-effective but are slowly being phased out globally. The new material is intended to be accessible to all patients, offering long-lasting results without the need for frequent replacements.
The broader implications of this research go beyond dental care. According to Ben Wu, DDS, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at AFI, the AI-driven approach will also enhance AFI’s research into managing drug-resistant biofilms and improving immunological responses. Click here to read more.
