Researchers from Saudi Arabia are hoping to speed up how long it takes to straighten teeth by developing 3D printed braces with LED lights and batteries.

Forget light up sneakers, the way to get down with the kids could one day be to straighten your teeth with 3D printed braces featuring LEDs on every tooth.

Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia believe the braces could save dentists time and money. The concept involves semi-translucent 3D printed braces which have a battery on every tooth to power the LEDs.

This isn’t simply for aesthetics, however. The researchers believe the braces offer light therapy to enhance bone regeneration. In fact, the researchers believe the braces alter the DNA in the teeth and increase their energy supply, moving them faster.

“We started embedding flexible LEDs inside 3D printed braces, but they needed a reliable power supply. After the incidents with the Samsung Galaxy 7 batteries exploding, we realized that traditional batteries in their current form don’t serve our purpose. So we redesigned the state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology into a flexible battery, followed by biosafe encapsulation, within the braces to make a smart dental brace,” said study author Dr. Muhammad Hussain.

Unfortunately, the LEDs aren’t visible to the naked eye, so you might need those light-up sneakers after all.

But Are They Safe to Wear?

Each battery is just 1.7-2.25mm thick and flexible. They can also be removed to be recharged and are surrounded by soft materials which prevent leaking.

But, if you’re worried about wearing lithium batteries on every tooth, it may calm your nerves to know the researchers have tested their idea. However, they only spent several days testing the batteries. This involved culturing human kidney cells on the batteries which, supposedly, thrived and multiplied.

Thanks to this, they claim the batteries are non-toxic. They also believe that they won’t leak into your mouth, even with continued use. However, the braces are still only a prototype so they won’t be reaching your mouth anytime soon.

But, if the idea works, 3D printing could aid with customization. The overall look of the braces which would mimic train tracks.

However, don’t hold your breath as the braces still require further scientific studies before they are released for public use.

Source: Daily Mail