Research in Micro-Dentistry
Probably no other medical field utilizes current advances in technology more than dentistry. Restorative dentistry has changed from using common steel for rotary cutting instruments, to high-strength, tungsten-carbide and diamond burrs.
Recently, air-abrasion technology has been applied for the removal of tooth structure in anticipation of restoration.
No matter how sophisticated the restorative tool, the same goals are sought as with the first generation of crude instruments: conservative removal of decayed tissues, controlled and minimal removal of sound tooth structure to provide correct resistive and retentive preparation forms, and placement of a durable, bonded restoration. Many of these goals are currently met using today's technology. However, the use of these instruments still leads to time-consuming and repetitive motions, resulting in long procedures that increase patient cost and minimize the number of patients treated on a daily basis. A prime opportunity exists to apply advanced aerospace technology to dental instruments as a means to improve oral health care delivery.
Directed jet technology is envisioned as the basis for a new unified dental treatment device, providing the dentist with a more efficient approach to routine dental caries treatment. The functions of dental caries removal (cavity preparation), restoration (filling), and preventative treatment application can be performed with a single, unified hand piece based on directed particle-laden jet technology; one tool can be used to perform all of the steps required in routine dental treatment.
The feasibility of the idea is being investigated both numerically (using the commercial FLUENT software) and experimentally. The measurements of the carrier jet flow field, and the trajectories and concentration of the particles are obtained using a modified Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique. The efficiency of active flow control on the jet, using control jets will be evaluated via controlling the jet's spreading rate, and particles' concentration and trajectories |
