SmartSplint
Managing Bruxism Intelligently
Basic overview
SmartSplint uses sensors in a mouthguard to provide
data about tooth grinding to patients and dentists to
help them manage the condition more effectively
What Problem does it Solve/Advantages
If untreated or poorly managed, bruxism can cause
considerable damage to the teeth that can be very
expensive to repair. It is often poorly managed
however because is very difficult to objectively
diagnose and monitor. The commonest treatment
currently provided to patients who suffer from
bruxism is a splint (or “night guard”). This is a gum
shield-like device worn over the teeth at night.
Splints do not stop bruxism activity but lessen its
intensity and its effects on the teeth. There are 2-3
million splints made annually in the USA alone at a
cost of $1billion but many dentists complain that it is
difficult to really know when to prescribe one and
even more difficult to know if it is being used
effectively. There is no reliable, cost effective
method to assess who actually has the condition, if it
is active, how intense it is, if the splint is successfully
controlling it or even if the splint is being used by the
patient. The Smart Splint project was conceived to
solve these problems. They are very widespread
and cost dentists and patients money every day all
over the world.
Its advantages over competing solutions include:
• More accurate and consistent data acquisition
• Easier for patients to use
• Embedded in existing standard of care so easily
accessed and understood
• Usable in 90% of splints used in major markets
• Much lower cost than EMG alternatives
Phasic Bruxism
300
Possible Applications
• Bruxism Diagnosis
• Bruxism Monitoring
• Splint Compliance reinforcement
Β-prototype of SmartSplint
Technology and Patent Status
Our design allows this type of bruxism sensing
technology to be deployed effectively at scale and
at a commericaliy viable price. This has never been
addressed in the prior art.
This technology is protected by a priority patent
application
The opportunity
The product has been developed to beta-prototype
stage and was successfully tested in-vivo in the lab.
A pilot clinical study will commence very soon and
personnel are in place to conduct upcoming studies
on larger patient numbers. A strong network of
international key opinion leaders has agreed to get
involved in clinical studies using the SmartSplint.
The regulatory pathways and the health economic
arguments for reimbursement are strong. A high
level of demand has been verified through primary
research with dentists, patients and channel
partners.
250
A/D Value
200
150
100
50
0
08:44.2
08:52.8
09:01.4
09:10.1
09:18.7
09:27.4
09:36.0
09:44.6
09:53.3
10:01.9
10:10.6
Time
The technology will commercialised through a start
up company, for which a business plan has already
been written. There is a clear, credible and very
effective route to market strategy and a clear
operating plan to exploit the opportunity. We are
seeking experienced commercial and technical
personnel for the management team. If you are
interested in exploring this a role with us or in
investing in the startup, please get in contact.
Signal output from sensor showing tooth grinding
29
Researchers: Dr. Padraig McAuliffe, Dr. Ramesh Babu [email protected]
+ 353 1 6127312
Contact: Technology Transfer contact [email protected] + 353 1 896 4152