UConn engineer 3D prints ‘mock human mouth’

According to the University of Connecticut (UConn), Jon Balyeat, a biomedical engineering major, has created a 3D printed “mock human mouth” — a device meant to simulate the oral cavity’s complex environment to test microbial growth and dental treatments in the lab, skipping lengthy clinical trials. “Our culturing device aims to mimic the temperature, CO₂ levels, and geometry of a human mouth for optimal lab testing of dental treatments like implants and toothpaste, thus reducing the dependency on clinical trials, which have all sorts of logistical and ethical challenges,” said Balyeat.

Supported by the Center for Access and Postsecondary Success (CAPS) and his advisor, Associate Professor Kazunori Hoshino, Balyeat spent eight weeks this summer building the device as a CAPS Research Scholar during the 13th annual CAPS Research Summer program.

The process began with CAD models of the chamber and jaw assembly, which were then 3D printed using polylactic acid (PLA). The device includes detachable PLA “teeth,” a removable well plate for high‑throughput testing, a heat sensor for closed‑loop temperature regulation, an integrated heater, and an air pump, all designed to fit inside an incubator.

UConn researchers will introduce common oral bacteria like Lactobacillus casei or Streptococcus mutans to observe how microbial growth responds to fluoride gradients, stem‑cell implants, calcium‑phosphate‑“doped” 3D printed teeth, or even tissue‑mimicking spinach leaves. “We want to know whether they survive, grow, or respond to things like temperature, pH, or bacteria,” Balyeat explains, as part of a broader push toward regenerative dental treatments.