Electrotherapy (Titanium Implant Repassivation Device)
Inventor(s): Georgios Kotsakis, Li Xie
Awarded: April 2025
Summary:
Our technology introduces a novel intraoral electrochemical device designed to treat peri-implantitis by restoring the passivation layer of titanium dental implants. Using controlled anodic oxidation, the device re-establishes the dense, corrosion-resistant oxide film on the dental implants directly intraorally. This process addresses the root cause of implant degradation by reducing titanium corrosion and subsequent microparticle release, which are key drivers of chronic inflammation and implant failure. Current peri-implantitis treatments are limited, focusing mainly on antibacterial and decontamination treatments, without resolving implant material degradation; some even will compromise the passivity and exacerbate the degradation. No existing therapy offers in situ electrochemical repassivation of titanium implants. Our device uniquely breaks the corrosion-inflammation cycle by restoring the implant's biocompatibility and mechanical stability, thereby improving long-term implant survival. This technology meets a critical unmet need in implantology practices. It offers a non-invasive, chairside solution for clinicians and represents a significant advancement in peri-implantitis management. Preserving implants that would otherwise fail enhances patient outcomes and reduces the need for costly surgical interventions. With no comparable electric repassivation devices currently available, our approach stands to be transformative at the time of market entry, providing both a therapeutic breakthrough and a new clinical tool for peri-implantitis therapy.
Market Applications:
- Clinical device for peri-implantitis therapy used by dentists.
- Chairside treatment device for active peri-implantitis management.
- Preventive maintenance tool to sustain implant health through periodic repassivation.
