University of Basel Develops Intraoral Crown Robot

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a miniature intraoral robot designed to automate tooth reduction for crown preparations directly inside a patient's mouth. By performing digitally planned procedures, the device aims to enable single-visit crown workflows and eliminate the traditional requirement for a second appointment. This innovation represents a potential shift in restorative dentistry, moving toward higher precision and streamlined clinical efficiency.

Researchers at the University of Basel’s Department of Biomedical Engineering have engineered a cork-sized robot that sits comfortably inside the mouth to perform crown preparations. The device is anchored by a custom-fitted dental splint created from a diagnostic scan, which ensures the robot moves in tandem with the patient’s head to maintain accuracy. Controlled externally via flexible cables, the system allows for the immediate ordering or fabrication of a crown following the automated preparation process.

During testing on synthetic resin and ceramic materials with enamel-like hardness, the robot demonstrated a positional error margin of less than 0.2mm and a drilling force under five newtons. The procedure is executed in two distinct stages, utilizing a wider drill for the top of the tooth and a finer drill for the sides. First author Yukiko Tomooka noted that the integration of positional sensors is the next step, which will further reduce error margins and allow the device to retain spatial awareness even if power is interrupted.

The development of this intraoral robot addresses the long-standing industry goal of achieving seamless single-visit restorative workflows, a category currently occupied by chairside technologies like the CEREC line. While robot-assisted implant platforms are already utilized in some global markets, this specific application for crown preparation remains experimental. The eventual commercial success of the technology will likely depend on its regulatory pathway, noise level management, and the procurement economics for dental practices facing significant capital investment requirements.