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An intraoral device for weight loss: initial clinical findings

British Dental Journal (2021)Cite this article

10 December 2021 Editor's Note: an Author Correction to this article has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3719-z .

A Correction to this article was published on 10 December 2021

This article has been updated

Abstract

Introduction Obesity is a global epidemic, increasing the risk of many associated health issues.

Aim The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the acceptability and tolerability of an intraoral device, designed to facilitate weight loss.

Method Seven healthy obese participants were recruited. The device, which incorporated closed-field magnets with keepers to restrict mouth opening, was cemented to the participants' first molars. The participants were given a commercially available liquid diet for two weeks. The comfort and tolerability of the device were assessed using a quality of life questionnaire during review appointments at 1, 7 and 14 days and two weeks after device removal.

Results The participants reached a mean weight loss of 6.36 (SD = 3.79) kilograms, which represents approximately 5.1% of their body weight. The participants had trouble pronouncing some words and felt tense and embarrassed 'only occasionally'. The participants 'hardly ever' reported a change in taste sensation or felt uncomfortable drinking. However, participants indicated that they occasionally had discomfort and felt that life in general was less satisfying. Qualitative analysis showed that the participants were happy with the outcome and were motivated to lose more weight.

Conclusion The participants tolerated the device for a two-week period with satisfactory weight loss and were further motivated to continue their weight loss journey.

Key points

  • Obesity rates have increased at an alarming rate and nearly a third of the world's population is now classified as overweight or obese.

  • This study investigated the acceptability and tolerability of a novel intra-oral device to facilitate weight loss in obese patients.

  • Tolerance of the device was good, promoting weight loss during a two-week trial period.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Jean Legros for her continuous support as the dental assistant and to all study participants for their time and interest in the study. No funding was received for this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Otago, Faculty of Dentistry, 310 Great King Street, North Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

    Paul A. Brunton, Jithendra Ratnayake, Li Mei & Arthi Veerasamy

  2. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK

    H. Jonathan Bodansky

  3. RMH Consultancy, Leeds, UK

    Richard Hall

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  1. Paul A. Brunton
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  2. Jithendra Ratnayake
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  4. Li Mei
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul A. Brunton.

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The authors note that, as anticipated by the ethics application, patent protection in the device was sought, with that being done through a new, non-active, holding company in which the research collaborators had proportionate ownership interests.

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Brunton, P., Ratnayake, J., Bodansky, H. et al. An intraoral device for weight loss: initial clinical findings. Br Dent J (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3081-1

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