Supported by the Rare Diseases Foundation through funding from the IRCEM Corporate Foundation, the APOP project (Dental Articulator for the Fabrication of Pediatric Dental Prosthetics), led by Prof. Marie-Paule Gellé at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, aims to develop a dental articulator suitable for children.
The goal: to make it easier to create dental prostheses for children as young as 3 years old and to better meet the needs of young patients with rare diseases who have dental abnormalities. After several generations of prototypes and evaluation at several university hospitals, the device has been validated, patented, and is expected to be available on the market as early as 2027.
Addressing a need that is still not being adequately met
Missing, fragile, or unusually shaped teeth: Several rare genetic disorders, such as amelogenesis imperfecta or ectodermal dysplasia, can cause significant dental abnormalities. Beyond pain and difficulties with chewing or speaking, these conditions can affect children’s appearance, well-being, and social lives.
For some of these young patients, prosthetic rehabilitation is necessary as early as age 3. The prostheses must then be replaced as the patients grow. Designing them requires an essential tool: the dental articulator, which replicates the movements of the lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw. It allows the dentist and the dental technician to prepare properly fitted prostheses.
However, equipment designed for adults—the only type currently available on the market—does not fully accommodate the anatomical characteristics of children. The APOP project was born out of this observation, with the goal of designing a pediatric articulator that is adjustable in all three dimensions.
An innovation born of collaboration between research, clinical practice, and industry
Led by Professor Marie-Paule Gellé at the BIOS laboratory at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, the project involves the Reims University Hospital, the Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle High School in Reims, and Fag dentaire, a manufacturer of dental articulators.
An initial clinical and radiological study collected data on the maxillofacial characteristics of children aged 3 to 14. This research served as the basis for the design of several generations of prototypes, which were gradually improved based on user feedback.
In particular, the device includes interchangeable components designed for different child sizes, allowing its dimensions to be adapted to the children’s body types. The two configurations intended for younger children have been validated as part of the evaluations reported by the team. The configuration for adolescents still needs to be determined, in comparison with adult equipment.
Encouraging results at several university hospitals
By the end of 2024, 14 hospital practitioners from 11 university hospitals had been trained in the use of the third-generation prototype. Trials were then conducted in 2025 and early 2026 to produce fixed or removable prostheses.
Initial feedback has been positive. Two focus groups held in April 2026 brought together practitioners who use the device, a dental technician, representatives from Fag Dentaire—a manufacturer of dental articulators and an industrial partner in the project—and the project leader. These discussions helped identify the final adjustments needed: adapting certain accessories for younger children and improving the device’s stability.
They also emphasized the importance of training staff and providing support during the initial use of the technology in clinical settings.
Crucial support for ensuring access to care
Funding from the IRCEM Corporate Foundation has helped advance an innovation that addresses a very specific need in a field where funding opportunities remain limited.
The goal is clear: to facilitate the design of prostheses tailored to children to restore their oral functions, support their growth, and improve their quality of life. Ultimately, the device could also benefit children who need prostheses following multiple tooth extractions due to severe early-onset cavities.
The latest modifications are scheduled for the end of 2026. An initiative to protect the innovation—described in the report as an extension of an existing Fag Dentaire patent—is also being developed in collaboration with the university. Commercialization is planned for early 2027, subject to the manufacturer’s decision.
Through APOP, research support helps bring innovation closer to the everyday needs of children, their families, and the professionals who care for them.
Young patients with genetic disorders that affect the oral cavity (e.g., amelogenesis imperfecta, anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia, etc.) often require early, tailored prosthetic rehabilitation starting at a very young age (3 years old). These restorations are essential: they are intended not only to restore masticatory functions (chewing, swallowing, speech), but also to support the harmonious growth of the dental arches and the face, to foster psychological development, and to promote better academic and social integration. However, to date, there is no articulator on the market specifically designed for children. Yet this tool is indispensable for accurately reproducing children’s intermaxillary relationships and for designing extensive prostheses best suited to their specific needs. Our project aims to fill this significant gap. It involves developing an innovative, easy-to-use pediatric dental articulator designed for children aged 3 to 14 (with primary, mixed, or young adult dentition) to address this inadequately met clinical need.
This type of innovation is difficult to fund because it involves a limited number of young patients, unlike major research areas such as cancer, which naturally attract more resources and interest. In this context, the support provided by FE IRCEM is not only invaluable but also crucial: despite its narrow focus, it makes it possible to bring to fruition a project with significant medical and social value that will truly improve the quality of life for these children and their families.
This support for the project demonstrates a genuine commitment to children’s health and shows that innovation is possible even in areas that are less visible but nonetheless essential. Here, it takes on its full meaning: it is not limited to financial support, but also reflects a humanistic and committed vision that values innovation for the benefit of all, even when addressing very specific needs.
Prof. Marie-Paule GELLÉ, Dental Surgeon, Project Leader