A Massachusetts-based institute announced on Monday it has been awarded $6.2 million in federal funding to advance artificial intelligence (AI) applications in dental fillings. The grant, provided by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), will support the development of next-generation smart materials for dental restorations over the next five years.
The ADA Forsyth Institute (AFI) received the funding to create dental composites with self-healing and antimicrobial properties. These materials will include nanofillers that respond to biological signals, making them more adaptable to patients’ specific oral conditions.
“This grant is the first step to leveraging AI and deep learning to facilitate and accelerate research,” said Ben Wu, DDS, PhD, the Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer of AFI, emphasized the project’s broader implications.
AFI is collaborating with Optimuos, a firm specializing in digital twin technology, to design AI-driven solutions for these advanced materials. The team will integrate physics-based models with data-driven simulations to enhance the testing and development process.
Smart fillings that fix Themselves?
Biomaterials expert Jirun Sun, PhD, the lead principal investigator, highlighted the practical impact of this innovation: “Imagine you have a crack developing in the filling. The material will detect that change and repair the crack. Or if your mouth has a lot of acid that lowers the pH, which is known to break down traditional composites and tooth structure, the material will counteract the acid.”
Replacing amalgam
AFI’s work is poised to reshape dental care, offering a long-term, durable replacement for amalgam fillings, which are being phased out globally due to health concerns. Early this year, the European Parliament voted to ban dental amalgam, starting Jan 1, 2025, to protect the environment and human health since amalgam has mercury.
According to Dr. Raymond Cohlmia, Executive Director of the American Dental Association (ADA) and Chair of AFI’s board, “This smart material could revolutionize dental care and drastically improve patient outcomes. The future of dental restorations – and so much more – is happening now. I’m so proud that AFI is at the forefront.”
This project positions the institute to leverage bioengineering, AI, and data science for significant advancements in oral health research.
