Development of a device to quickly assess gum disease using saliva samples
Official title: SCH: Multidimensional Microfluidic Salivary Sensor with Adversarial Knowledge Distillation for Point-of-Care Assessment of Periodontitis and Comorbidities
Funded at Illinois Institute of Technology · NIH-10910228 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new device that can quickly check your saliva for signs of gum disease, helping you and your dentist catch any problems early and keep your smile healthy!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Illinois Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $287,078 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE031832-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10910228 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are at risk for or currently experiencing periodontal disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have periodontal disease or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a prototype sensor that can quickly analyze saliva to detect biomarkers associated with periodontitis, a common gum disease. By utilizing advanced machine learning techniques, the device aims to provide rapid and accurate predictions of periodontal health, which can be used in dental offices or at home. The goal is to enable early detection and monitoring of gum disease, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for invasive treatments. The research emphasizes the importance of integrating diverse data to enhance understanding of oral health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a convenient and cost-effective tool for early detection and management of periodontitis, improving oral health for many patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using saliva biomarkers for disease detection, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Rong R. — Illinois Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Wang, Rong R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Grade C Periodontitis in Young People: Genetic Clues to a Severe, Early Condition
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-
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This research explores how gum disease could affect bone health by studying the connection between the mouth, gut, and bones in adults.
-
Diabetes-Driven Changes in Dendritic Cells and T Cells in Gum Disease
This project studies how poorly controlled diabetes alters immune cells in periodontitis to worsen gum disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.