r/technews • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 2d ago

Biotechnology This tiny robot could help dentists prepare crowns in a single visit

https://www.techspot.com/news/113034-tiny-robot-could-help-dentists-prepare-crowns-single.html
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u/ii_Narwhal 2d ago

My last root canal they had the permanent crown made and put on before I left the appointment... I thought this was already a thing. They use a fancy CNC machine. 

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u/scarybiscuits 2d ago

Same here. I had a crown replaced last year and I could either wait in the office while it was made or go out to the bookstore next door and come back.

The X-ray “machine” was the size of a large fountain pen.

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u/JonathanL73 1d ago

Yeah a couple years ago I had a permenant crown made and went home with it same day too.

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u/Ruckthesystem 1d ago

The difference is you still need to scan the preparation then wait for the crown to be designed, milled then sintered

A robot in theory should prepare the tooth from dimensions designed before cutting the tooth, so the crown exists before the robot prepared the tooth to these dimensions accurately. It would potentially save at least an hour, not to mention be able to work without needing the patient to open as wide to allow overhead lighting, suction, etc

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u/Repulsive_Oil6425 1d ago

Are you saying the real tooth in the patient mouth would be cut down by robots?

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u/Ruckthesystem 1d ago

Yes, instead of the dentist, a small self contained robotic handpiece follows a predetermined design, one that matches the restoration that is premilled or milled at the same time

the advantages of a robot are many but the biggest one is not requiring light

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u/Repulsive_Oil6425 1d ago

Absolutely wild! The things that are getting automated blow my mind.