Affordable dental care is on the horizon: A Tomsk student has developed a versatile dental tool for various dental procedures
In a groundbreaking development, a graduate student from Tomsk State University (TSU) has created a reusable endodontic file for root canal treatments. The innovative tool, developed by Sofia Yuzhakova, is set to revolutionize the dental industry with its enhanced durability and cost-effectiveness.
The key to Yuzhakova's invention lies in the use of a unique processing technology called vibrogalvanizing. This method deposits a thin, uniform metal coating onto the surface of the instrument through a vibrating electroplating process, enhancing the file's surface properties without compromising its flexibility or precision.
The benefits of this innovation are substantial:
- Increased Durability: The metal coating from vibrogalvanizing improves wear resistance and strengthens the file, allowing it to withstand multiple uses without significant degradation.
- Cost Efficiency: By enabling the file to be safely reused, this technology reduces the frequency of purchasing new single-use instruments, lowering overall treatment costs for dental clinics.
- Improved Performance: The coated surface maintains sharpness and cutting efficiency over several uses, ensuring reliable performance during endodontic procedures.
The modified dental tool, currently a prototype, has undergone comprehensive laboratory testing under the supervision of Marina Ostanenko, an associate professor at the Department of Physics of Metals, TSU Faculty of Physics. The testing included surface morphology examination, torsional strength testing until failure, and material corrosion resistance testing.
The results are promising. The strength limit of the modified file has increased by 1.2 times compared to existing market alternatives, and its corrosion resistance has doubled. The tool is suggested to be reusable up to 10-15 times.
However, clinical trials are needed to confirm the reusability of the modified device. Yuzhakova and Ostanenko are seeking partner laboratories for conducting these trials. If successful, the new, more durable files could potentially reduce the cost of endodontic treatment for patients. The research on the modified dental tool is planned to be completed and the device prepared for implementation by the end of September 2025.
The vibrogalvanizing technology used in the modified tool has not been applied to modify medical tools before, making this a significant advancement in combining surface engineering techniques with medical instrument design. The result is a tool that is more durable, cost-effective, and practical for repeated clinical use.
This groundbreaking invention by Sofia Yuzhakova, a graduate student from Tomsk State University, utilizes vibrogalvanizing technology to create a reusable endodontic file for root canal treatments, providing a significant advancement in health-and-wellness and dental care. The use of this technology in medical-conditions-related tools is novel, and the potential of this innovation extends beyond the dental industry, as it could revolutionize health-and-wellness through technology.
