[Back]

S. Häuplik-Meusburger, U. Lotzmann, H. Meusburger:
"Dental Treatment during a human Mars Mission with remote support and advanced technology";
Talk: 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES 2106), Wien (invited); 07-10-2016 - 07-14-2016; in: "Proceedings International Conference on Environmental Systems", International Conference on Environmental Systems, (2016).

http://hdl.handle.net/2346/67570
Health Issues of Astronauts are high priority issues on long-term missions. Currently a wide range of examinations prior to mission begin and at least two crew medical officers ensure a basic medical supply on board. Medical equipment and instruments are available for a number of medical likely procedures. This is also valid for tooth ache. In case of an emergency, pain can be suppressed until medical help (back on Earth) is available. In extreme emergency, tools are available to extract the tooth.

Although dental accidents occurrences were minimal so far, they are expected to rise significantly on long-term missions. Reasons for injuries in that area are manifold: moving objects can cause injuries in microgravity, as well as a higher risk of gingivitis (nutrition issues), caries and pulpitis are among the most obvious. In any case an immediate restoration is vital in order not to cause permanent damage to human health, to prevent loss of (limited) manpower and finally to ensure mission success. However, on contrary to earth conditions, a dentist or dental technician will not be available.

This paper showcases an ongoing research project that combines the technical feasibility of 3D Technology in combination with dental technology.

To demonstrate the workflow of a dental treatment with remote support, the developed technical procedure has been sucessfully simulated under `Mars´ conditions during the `AMADEE-15 Mission´.
The authors will give an introduction to the historic background and rational for dental emergency situations. They will further outline the process of detecting, diagnosing and treating a dental problem during a human mission, including advanced manufacturing methods for dental treatment. Further the results of the simulation as well as future prospectives will be presented.

http://hdl.handle.net/2346/67570
Health Issues of Astronauts are high priority issues on long-term missions. Currently a wide range of examinations prior to mission begin and at least two crew medical officers ensure a basic medical supply on board. Medical equipment and instruments are available for a number of medical likely procedures. This is also valid for tooth ache. In case of an emergency, pain can be suppressed until medical help (back on Earth) is available. In extreme emergency, tools are available to extract the tooth.

Although dental accidents occurrences were minimal so far, they are expected to rise significantly on long-term missions. Reasons for injuries in that area are manifold: moving objects can cause injuries in microgravity, as well as a higher risk of gingivitis (nutrition issues), caries and pulpitis are among the most obvious. In any case an immediate restoration is vital in order not to cause permanent damage to human health, to prevent loss of (limited) manpower and finally to ensure mission success. However, on contrary to earth conditions, a dentist or dental technician will not be available.

This paper showcases an ongoing research project that combines the technical feasibility of 3D Technology in combination with dental technology.

To demonstrate the workflow of a dental treatment with remote support, the developed technical procedure has been sucessfully simulated under `Mars´ conditions during the `AMADEE-15 Mission´.
The authors will give an introduction to the historic background and rational for dental emergency situations. They will further outline the process of detecting, diagnosing and treating a dental problem during a human mission, including advanced manufacturing methods for dental treatment. Further the results of the simulation as well as future prospectives will be presented.

dental emergency, long term mission, international space station, 3D technology, dental treatment

https://publik.tuwien.ac.at/files/publik_249439.pdf