{
    "title": "Dental Electro-Mineralization",
    "inventor_name": "Nigel Pitts",
    "publication_year": 2014,
    "device_name": "Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation (EAER)",
    "goal": "Rebuild enamel and reverse tooth decay without drilling or filling.",
    "problem_addressed": "Dental caries (tooth decay) that currently requires invasive drilling and filling.",
    "concept_summary": "A two-step dental device that first prepares demineralised enamel and then uses a tiny electric current, combined with ultrasound-driven iontophoresis, to push calcium-phosphate mineralising agents into the tooth, restoring enamel and optionally whitening the teeth.",
    "detailed_description": null,
    "category": "Medical & Dental Technologies",
    "principles": [
        "Ultrasound-driven iontophoresis",
        "Electrosonophoresis (combined ultrasound and electrical stimulation)",
        "Electrical current-driven mineral ion transport",
        "Impedance-based feedback control"
    ],
    "scientific_domains": [
        "Dental science",
        "Materials science",
        "Electrical engineering",
        "Acoustics"
    ],
    "mechanisms_of_action": [
        "Ultrasound generates acoustic pressure that assists transfer of mineralising agents from probe to tooth surface",
        "Iontophoresis uses a low-level electric current to propel charged calcium/phosphate ions into enamel pores",
        "Electrical impedance monitoring adjusts signal parameters to match the tooth's mineralisation state"
    ],
    "materials": [
        "Calcium phosphate",
        "Fluoride (optional)",
        "Gel/solution carrier for mineralising agent"
    ],
    "energy_sources": [
        "Ultrasound transducer",
        "Low-voltage electrical current"
    ],
    "inputs": [
        "Mineralising agent (calcium/phosphate solution)",
        "Ultrasound energy",
        "Electrical voltage/current"
    ],
    "outputs": [
        "Remineralised enamel",
        "Whitened tooth surface"
    ],
    "claimed_performance": "Device can rebuild enamel and halt caries progression without drills, injections or filling materials; also provides tooth whitening and is expected to be cost-effective compared with current dental treatments.",
    "experimental_evidence": "The article reports a prototype demonstration and press releases but provides no quantitative data, clinical trial results, or peer-reviewed studies.",
    "replication_status": null,
    "keywords": [
        "Electro-Mineralization",
        "Iontophoresis",
        "Ultrasound",
        "Dental caries",
        "Remineralisation",
        "EAER",
        "Reminova"
    ],
    "related_technologies": [
        "Iontophoresis devices",
        "Ultrasound dental cleaning tools",
        "Electrosonophoresis",
        "Fluoride varnish treatments"
    ],
    "controversy_level": "low",
    "confidence_score": 0.85,
    "practicability_score": 0.75,
    "fringe_score": 0.2,
    "evidence_strength": 0.3,
    "risk_score": 0.2,
    "trl_estimate": 4,
    "source_urls": [
        "http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/no-more-fillings-invention-allows-3701874",
        "http://www.kcl.ac.uk/newsevents/news/newsrecords/2014/June/Kings-spin-out-will-put-tooth-decay-in-a-time-warp.aspx",
        "http://www.reminova.com/"
    ],
    "organizations": [
        "Kingas College London",
        "Reminova Ltd",
        "Innova Partnerships"
    ],
    "applications": [
        "Treatment of early-stage dental caries",
        "Enamel repair and regeneration",
        "Cosmetic tooth whitening"
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "No published clinical trial data",
        "Effectiveness may vary with lesion size and patient anatomy",
        "Device not yet commercially available"
    ],
    "open_questions": [
        "How durable is the remineralised enamel over long periods?",
        "Can the technique treat deep cavities or only superficial lesions?",
        "What are the optimal electrical and ultrasonic parameters for safety and efficacy?"
    ],
    "red_flags": [
        "Claims of eliminating all fillings are not yet supported by peer-reviewed evidence",
        "Lack of quantitative performance data"
    ],
    "evidence_quotes": [
        "Ultrasound-driven iontophoresis applied to teeth rebuilds enamel",
        "The device uses a tiny electric current to push calcium and minerals into the tooth",
        "The technique could be brought to market within three years",
        "Electric currents are already used by dentists to check the pulp or nerve of a tooth; the new device uses a far smaller current",
        "The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic source, an ultrasonic probe and one or more mineralising probes"
    ]
}