Press Release (For immediate release)
HKU Faculty of Dentistry developed a mouth guard device with micro-mist injection aims to improve oral condition of elderly and disabled
(18 November 2020) With an aim to improve the oral hygiene for the elderly and people with disabilities or dysphagia, so as to boost their confidence to enjoy speaking and smiling, as well as pleasure to enjoy eating, the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Hong Kong has initiated a project called “Plaque cleaning apparatus using dental acrylic 3-D printing technique by micro-mist injection for elderly and disabled” to help the groups clean their oral cavity safely and effectively.
The Project is supported with a grant from the Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living (”FBL”) under the Innovation and Technology Bureau. Under the project, a novel apparatus adopting micro-scale mist to remove plaque in the oral cavity has been designed and developed. A personalised 3D-printed mouth guard device that contains an air and water channel for cleaning the tooth plaque with minimal amount of water is connected to the micro scale mist apparatus. With this technology, the oral hygiene of the user can be improved with minimal risk of bacterial infection and aspiration caused by rinsing. In view of the ageing population in Hong Kong, oral hygiene maintenance of the elderly is becoming an essential issue. Improvement of oral hygiene encourages social participation of the elderly and leads to better physical and psychological health, and thus enhances their quality of life.
The project will be rolled out in the fourth quarter of 2020. A prototype of mouthpiece device with micro-scale mist injection function has been developed. Clinical trial will be conducted soon. Data and feedback collected will serve to identify future directions for improving this new device. The Faculty of Dentistry hopes this new initiative will benefit the elderly and the disabled in the community.
Dr James Tsoi, Project Coordinator cum Assistant Professor in Dental Materials Science and Mr Karfield Chan, student research assistant (Bachelor of Dental Surgery Year 5) of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Hong Kong combined dental knowledge and product design, jointly developed the personalized 3D-printed micro-mist injection mouth guard device.
Prototype of mouth guard device with micro-scale mist injection function
Device adopts micro-scale mist to remove plaque
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Media Enquiry:
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong
Senior Communications Officer, Ms Melody Tang
Tel: 2859 0494; Email:
melodytang@hku.hk
(2020年11月18日) 為改善長者和殘疾人士的口腔健康清潔，好讓他們能自信地說話、微笑和享受食物，香港大學牙醫學院開展了一個名為「微霧噴射口部裝置 – 三維打印技術度身訂製 –助長者和殘疾人士去除牙垢」的項目，幫助長者和殘疾人士或吞嚥困難的人能安全有效地清潔口腔。
獲創新及科技局轄下的《創科生活基金》資助項目，學院設計並開發了利用微霧噴射去除牙垢的口部裝置。微霧噴射裝置採用創新方法，以三維打印技術為用者度身訂製口部裝置。該裝置設有讓空氣和水得以流通的管道，以最少的水量來清潔牙垢。微霧噴射技術可避免一般儀器空氣和水回流所帶來的細菌感染及嗆喉風險，同時保持口腔衞生。香港人口正在老齡化，良好口腔衞生乃長者保健的其中重要一環，讓長者在社交和身心健康上得以改善，從而提升他們的生活質素。
項目將於本年第四季度推出，微霧噴射口部裝置的原型已成功製作並即將投入臨床試驗。試驗中收集的數據和反饋將成為未來推進微霧噴射口部裝置的一個重要指標。牙醫學院期盼裝置能惠及更多長者和殘疾人士。
項目統籌員暨香港大學牙醫學院牙科物質助理教授徐傑漢博士 (右) 與學生研究助理 (學士課程五年級生) 陳家輝併合牙科知識與產品設計，共同研發以三維打印技術度身訂製微霧噴射口部裝置。
微霧噴射口部裝置的原型
裝置利用微霧噴射去除牙垢
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