In-mouth drilling robots for automating tooth repair and scaling dentist revenues: DentistRobot

Programme(s): 

H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies

Topic: EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 - SME instrument

Call for proposal: H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

Funding Scheme: SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

Grant agreement ID: 855689

Project description: Robots for tooth repairs
At least one in three Europeans aged between 65 and 74 are toothless, limiting their functions in life. While prosthetics and implants are affordable alternatives, the procedures require extensive teeth shaping, increasing the risk of malpractice for dentists. DentistRobot Ltd was set up to eliminate those inaccuracies by introducing their copyrighted robot technology to the dental industry. A prototype is currently underway and due to be tested in a real patient's mouth. DentistRobot plans to hit the market within two years. In pursuit of that, DentistRobot is considering contracting partnerships with manufacturing and distributor companies.

Objective: Dental caries and severe periodontal disease are major contributors to the loss of natural teeth. About 30% of Europeans aged 65–74 years have no natural teeth which reduce their function and quality of life. Nowadays, the most commonly used teeth replacement procedures are prosthetics and implants. While prosthetics are more affordable and versatile, when they require the reshaping of the teeth the procedure can take longer and there is a higher risk of malpractice because of the inaccuracies of the manual procedure. This can cause various side effects from a less durable prosthesis to the loss of the teeth. DentistRobot Ltd was set up with the main aim to eliminate the inaccuracies by introducing robot technology to the dental industry with our combined software and hardware solution that has been protected with a copyright. It simplifies and improves the process of several teeth replacement procedures reducing the chance of malpractice and improving the patient's satisfaction while increases the number of patients served during a given time. Right now we have a working prototype, and we want to test the procedure in a real patient's mouth. We intend to enter the market within 2 years. To achieve our goals, we have to re-evaluate some of our technical decisions as well as our market researches. We also would like to extend our knowledge about the current legislation processes within the European Union (and beyond). In order to enter the market fast and to be able to supply the demand we are considering making partnerships with manufacturing and distributor companies. For this reason we have decided to apply for the SME Instrument Phase 1 program. With this extended knowledge, we aim to submit a Phase 2 project to develop and implement a production line for the robot and to build an international sales network to distribute the final product.