L-14：Development of a Dental Caries Prevention Tool Using Cross-Modal Perception

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＜L-14＞：Life Sciences, Medical Devices sdgs-03 sdgs-04
 

Development of a Dental Caries Prevention Tool Using Cross-Modal Perception
― A Predictive Experience of Toothache Caused by Dental Caries ―

Takeshi Watanabe Assistant Professor
Department of Medical Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Naoya Tanigaki Research Student
Faculty of Science and Technology
Keywords Cross-modal perception, Preventive medicine, Dentistry
Laboratory URL https://www.tokushima-u.ac.jp/med/culture/med/shakaikankyo/yobouigaku/
Research Overview
● Tooth brushing for caries prevention: maintaining motivation remains a challenge
Dental caries is the most prevalent disease worldwide, and it is estimated that one in three people in Japan is affected. In most cases, caries can be prevented through daily tooth brushing, and dental clinics across the country routinely provide oral hygiene instruction to patients. However, motivating individuals to maintain consistent tooth brushing and caries prevention behaviors is often difficult, posing a persistent challenge for dental healthcare professionals.

● Would experiencing symptoms promote prevention? Development of a caries experience tool using cross-modal perception
In the fields of virtual reality and stereoscopic imaging, the application of cross-modal perception has attracted increasing attention. Cross-modal perception refers to sensory experiences that arise from interactions among multiple human sensory modalities. In this study, we leveraged cross-modal perception to develop a tool that enables users to virtually experience the symptoms of dental caries through visual and auditory stimuli.
 
Potential Applications and Commercialization Prospects

● A dental caries experience tool using a glasses-free 3D display
To ensure usability for children who may have difficulty using head-mounted displays, we developed a tool that presents teeth on a glasses-free stereoscopic display. Users can specify areas where caries develop, and unpleasant sound effects are added to simulate the progression of dental caries, allowing users to experience discomfort associated with tooth decay.
In an effectiveness evaluation conducted with eight participants, most respondents reported that they were able to experience the pain and unpleasant sensations associated with dental caries and expressed increased motivation to brush their teeth more carefully.

L-14e-img.png
A Dental Caries Symptom Experience Tool Based on Cross-Modal Perception
Users experience the process of dental caries formation and its symptoms on a glasses-free 3D display.
Color effects, vibrations, and sound are used to reproduce the pain and discomfort associated with dental caries.
 
Patents ● Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-120785
"Caries Video Display System, Caries Video Display Method, Caries Video Display Program, Computer-Readable Recording Medium, and Recording Device"

Last updated date：October 15, 2026

 

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