Smart Dental Implant that powers its own light therapy
Official title: Smart Dental Implant(TM): Advanced Self-Powered Phototherapuetic Dental Implant
Funded at Leden LLC · NIH-11255589 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A dental implant system that uses chewing energy to power a tiny light therapy to fight infection and help healing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Leden LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $306,084 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DE035053-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11255589 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal for adults needing dental implants who are at risk of infection or poor healing.
✕Less likely to help
People not needing implants or those with conditions that preclude dental implant use may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project improves a special dental implant by adding a microchip-powered light therapy that activates during chewing or brushing. We’ll use 3D printing to create a custom crown and ensure the device safely powers and interacts with the mouth’s environment. The goal is to validate the implant’s performance in a clinically relevant animal model before considering clinic use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get faster healing and fewer implant infections with a smarter, self-powered implant.
How similar studies have gone: Prior versions showed promise in reducing infection; this study adds self-powered light therapy and 3D-printed components.
Where this research is happening
-
Leden LLC
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Selvarajan, Sophia — Leden LLC
- Study coordinator: Selvarajan, Sophia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Melatonin Gel in Immediate Molar Implants in the Back of the jaw
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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.