OralSens

Adaption and further development of higly sensitive sensor technology for evaluation of biochemical and metabolic processes in the oral cavity |

Medical Need

Continuous monitoring of physiological parameters and biofilm metabolites as well as pellicle and biofilm formation would be possible by conveniently placing flexible and miniaturized sensors in the oral cavity. Rich information in real time can be obtained in relation to the health of the oral cavity upon infections by colonizing bacteria, by monitoring the evolution of biofilms, their metabolites, and additional analytes present in saliva and the pellicle.

The aim of the project is the implementation of highly sensitive miniaturized sensors in the oral cavity, to allow continuous monitoring of the organic and inorganic molecules in a kinetic manner. Parameters such as glucose, lactate, and pH will be considered as target for long-term measurements.

miniaturized sensors, biofilm formation, continuous measurement, saliva sensor, oral cavity

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Hertel, S. et al. Caries Res. 2017, 51 (1), 34–45.

Zimmermann, R. et al. Colloids Surfaces B Biointerfaces 2019, 174, 451–458.

Ibarlucea, B. et al. Microchim. Acta 2020, 187 (9), 520.

Schulz, A. et al. Sci. Rep. 2020, 10, 697.

Project team members |

Clinician |

TU Dresden, Faculty of Medicine
University Hospital Dresden, Policlinic of Operative and Pediatric Dentistry

Project team members |

High-tech |

TU Dresden, Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering
Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology

Abstract |

Bio-adhesion as well as bio-mineralization and metabolic processes are of essential relevance for oral health and diseases. There are multiple interactions of the oral fluids, microorganisms and the hard and soft tissues. There have been numerous studies on these processes but they offer only information on a certain point of time. The aim of the present project is to adapt and to develop highly sensitive sensors applicable in the challenging oral environment to monitor organic and inorganic molecules in a kinetic manner. This will allow further insights for example in the initiation and progression of dental erosions and caries but will also help to understand and to further develop strategies in preventive dentistry. From the technological point of view, the instantaneous and ubiquitous protein adsorption in the oral cavity has to be considered. From a broader perspective, the oral cavity is an easily accessible model system to test and to develop sensor technology for application in humans and in medical technology. In future, comparable sensors will allow detection of biomarkers for general diseases in a non-invasive manner. Miniaturized sensors based on flexible and biocompatible technologies are promising tools, with capacity for real-time monitoring, that can easily access such cavity. As broadly shown in successful demonstrations in vitro and as wearable electronics with excellent performance for sweat analysis, their implementation in the oral cavity is a new level that can offer new perspectives toward non-invasive diagnostics.

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