Open AccessFunctionalized Mouth‐Conformable Interfaces for pH Evaluation of the Oral Cavity
Author(s) -
Matzeu Giusy,
Naveh Gili R. S.,
Agarwal Siddhart,
Roshko Jeffery A.,
OstrovskySnider Nicholas A.,
Napier Bradley S.,
Omenetto Fiorenzo G.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202003416
Subject(s) - conformable matrix , oral cavity , saliva , computer science , dentistry , point of care , oral health , dental care , dental floss , nanotechnology , materials science , biomedical engineering , chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , nursing , composite material
Oral health monitoring is highly desired, especially for in home use, however, current methods are not sensitive enough and technically convoluted for this purpose. This paper presents incorporation of bioactive materials and colorimetric chemical sensors into routinely used oral appliances transforming them into bioresponsive, conformable interfaces. Specifically, endodontic paper points and dental floss can be functionalized to locally sense and monitor pH variations within the oral cavity via color changes. Moreover, edible colorimetric indicators are developed and used to make sensing, edible devices in the form factor of candies that can dynamically and visually respond to acidity changes in saliva. These interfaces would enable early detection of caries (e.g., using dental floss and paper points) providing low‐cost point of care devices that respond in real‐time by detecting pH variations in biological fluids thus bringing monitoring to home settings .