Syringe to dispense antibacterial mouthwash and clean the interdental spaces between teeth.

 

Student Team: Top Gum

Amrit Bhatia;  Daniel Turner-Figueredo; Jonathan Tracey (LinkedIN) ;  Sarah Autry; 

 

Project Description: 

With periodontitis affecting half of the U.S. population over the age of 30, proper oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, mouthwash) is a simple way to prevent this expansive disease from progressing to more dangerous stages. Periodontal (gum) disease is characterized by three key stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Gum disease arises when patients do not perform proper oral hygiene methods. Brushing alone only kills about 60% of the bacteria that builds up along the gumline during the day; other cleaning methods, like interdental brushes and professional dental cleanings are required to help clean out tartar buildup that builds up around and between the teeth. Without proper oral hygiene, this bacteria will continue to colonize between teeth, forming interdental gaps that are indicative of periodontitis. By the time a patient has reached periodontitis, patients require more intensive interdental cleaning routines that include a standard chlorhexidine mouthwash; however, even mouthwash only removes the top layer of bacteria that forms and fails to remove the complete layer. Thus, for patients with periodontitis, current interdental cleaning methods are insufficient in completely clearing out the microbial biofilm and maintaining oral health. Based on this observation, TopGum presents the TopBrush, which combines the mechanical action of an interdental brush with the clinical treatment of a standard periodontal patient into a singular device. The TopBrush is characterized by a syringe body for measuring treatment doses as well as a porous, bristle tip to dispense treatment while still utilizing the mechanical action that makes current interdental brushes effective. Patients with periodontitis can then use the TopBrush as a more advanced interdental brush for administering their prescribed treatment. By incorporating two functionalities into a single tool, it both increases patient usage and maximizes clinical effectiveness of the standard chlorhexidine treatment.

 

 

Expo Video Showcase: 

 

Expo Poster Showcase: