Lifestyle
Breakthrough in Smart Dental Implants Brings Back Natural Tooth Sensation
Tufts researchers develop bioengineered implant that mimics real tooth feel and may revolutionize oral and orthopedic medicine.
Watan-Researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine have developed a groundbreaking dental implant that offers a more natural tooth-like sensation in both feel and function.
According to the study published Friday in Scientific Reports, these new “smart” implants simulate natural dental sensitivity using advanced biological and engineering techniques.
Dental implants typically involve inserting a metal post—usually titanium—into the jawbone, onto which an artificial tooth is mounted. While they restore chewing, speech, and aesthetics, they lack natural nerve feedback since they don’t connect with the nervous system like real teeth.
Tufts Engineers Bio-Smart Implant That Restores Nerve Sensation
To solve this, the Tufts team designed a minimally invasive implant embedded with a biodegradable layer containing stem cells and a special protein that helps convert them into neural tissue. As the layer dissolves during healing, it releases these materials, encouraging nerve regeneration around the implant.
The coating also includes soft, rubbery particles that function like a flexible sponge. This allows the implant to compress during insertion and then expand precisely to fit the lost tooth’s shape, making the surgical process gentler on surrounding nerves.
Tested in mice, the implants remained stable after six weeks, with no signs of inflammation or immune rejection. Imaging showed a unique space between the implant and bone, suggesting integration with soft tissue rather than direct bone contact—key to restoring nerve sensitivity.
The researchers plan preclinical studies on larger animals to confirm safety and effectiveness, and to verify whether nerve signals actually reach the brain. They also foresee applications in hip replacements and bone fracture repairs, broadening the technology’s medical potential.
The team emphasized that this work marks a significant advance toward smart, neuro-integrative implants—aligning with the global shift toward regenerative medicine and intelligent biotechnology.
