The designers of the Blizzident toothbrush wanted to make toothbrushing as easy as biting into an apple. By biting on the device, a user’s teeth are cleaned within a few seconds, they say. (Photo courtesy of Blizzident)

2013-10-16 | News Europe

MADRID, Spain: With the aim of facilitating toothbrushing, a team of dentists, engineers, computer scientists and dental prophylaxis experts has developed a 3-D-printed toothbrushing device that can clean teeth faster and more efficiently. They hope that it will help improve oral hygiene especially in users who have not mastered the correct brushing technique to clean all regions in the mouth.

The Blizzident toothbrush has to be manufactured for each user individually. In order to obtain it, clients have to visit their dentist to have an impression made of their teeth. If the dentist does not have the necessary equipment to create a digital 3-D model directly, the moulded impression has to be sent to a dental laboratory for digitisation. The 3-D model will then be uploaded to the company’s server via a tool on its website to order a customised device. 

According to the company, the toothbrushes are printed from biocompatible plastics using stereolithography, a technology used for manufacturing models and prototypes. The device is fitted with about 600 soft, ultra-fine bristles, which are placed on the surface of the teeth and the gum line at a 45-degree angle when the user puts the Blizzident in his or her mouth. The teeth are cleaned by biting and grinding movements. In addition, the device is fitted with interdental bristles and a tongue cleaner, and thus enables toothbrushing, flossing and tongue cleaning at the same time. 

The brush can be cleaned using warm water. In addition, it should be bathed in an antiseptic mouthwash from time to time to destroy bacteria and prevent contamination. 

The Blizzident toothbrush is available at a price of US$299 in North America or €299 outside North America. According to the company, it has already received US Food and Drug Administration approval for its materials and production processes. 

The company recommends replacing the Blizzident toothbrush every 12 months. As the bristles do not need metallic anchors like conventional toothbrushes, the bristles can be replaced much more easily. For €89 ($89), the company replaces the bristles in a user’s Blizzident. Alternatively, a completely new brush can be printed for €159 ($159).