Meet the Miniature Robot That Could Transform Crown Preparation
Researchers have developed a prototype intraoral robot designed to prepare teeth for crowns with exceptional accuracy, potentially reducing treatment time and the number of patient visits.
A crown preparation completed by a miniature robot may sound like science fiction, but researchers at the University of Basel are bringing the concept closer to clinical reality. Engineers have developed the miniature intraoral robot (MIR), a compact robotic device designed to scan and prepare a tooth for a dental crown during a single appointment. Roughly the size of a wine cork, the prototype fits comfortably inside the patient’s mouth and moves with the patient if they shift during treatment.
The robot uses two drills to complete tooth preparation. A larger bur first reduces the occlusal surface, followed by a smaller bur that shapes the tooth from the sides. In laboratory testing on synthetic teeth, the system achieved positional accuracy within 0.2 mm, even without integrated sensors or image-guided correction.
Researchers believe future versions equipped with cameras and advanced sensors could further improve precision while allowing the robot to continuously monitor its position throughout the procedure even after temporary interruptions such as a power loss.
Although MIR remains in the prototype stage, the technology highlights the growing role of robotics in restorative dentistry. If successfully translated into clinical practice, robotic crown preparation could streamline workflows, reduce chairtime, improve consistency, and allow clinicians to begin crown fabrication immediately after preparation. Click here to read more.
