DentalSlim Diet Control: Researcher defends weight loss device after it sparked ridicule on social media

A new weight loss device that uses magnets to prevent people from opening their mouths enough to eat solids has been called “scary and weird” by critics.

But Dunedin researchers who developed the device defend the invention, saying those who use the weight loss tool have misunderstood its intent.

Researchers at the University of Otago and the UK have developed the world’s first device, which uses magnets to lock the mouth almost shut, to help fight the global obesity epidemic.

DentalSlim Diet Control is an intraoral device installed by a dental professional on the teeth of the upper and lower back.

It used magnetic devices with unique, custom-made locking bolts.

The device was widely ridiculed after it was shared on social media, with Twitter users calling it “scary” and “weird.”

Senior researcher Professor Paul Brunton, University of Otago pro-vice chancellor of health sciences, said it was not intended for general weight loss use, but rather for specific cases where there was a clinical need to lose weight quickly.

“Sometimes the first step [of losing weight] is quite difficult … therefore it was developed with the aim of being an additional treatment that could be used in selected cases where it is appropriate. “

Brunton said comments from colleagues in the field have been positive.

The device allows the wearer to open their mouth only about 2mm, limiting them to a liquid diet, but it allows freedom of expression and does not restrict breathing.

Participants in a Dunedin trial lost an average of 6.36 kg in two weeks and were motivated to continue their weight loss journey.

It would be put on by a dentist and could be released by the user in an emergency and could be put on and taken off multiple times.

“The main obstacle to successful weight loss is compliance and it helps them establish new habits, allowing them to stick to a low calorie diet for a period of time.
“It really kicks off the process.

“It is a non-invasive, reversible, economical and attractive alternative to surgical procedures,” said Professor Brunton.

The tool could be particularly useful for those who need to lose weight before they can have surgery and for diabetic patients for whom weight loss could initiate remission, he said.

The practice of surgically closing people’s jaws became popular in the 1980s, but it had its risks; vomiting carried the risk of suffocation, and after nine to 12 months, patients developed gum disease.

In some cases, there were persistent problems with restriction of jaw movements and some developed acute psychiatric disturbances.

“Alternative strategies are needed that can avoid surgery or reduce the weight before surgery and thus make it easier and safer.

“The beauty is that once the patients are fitted with the device, after two or three weeks, the magnets can be disengaged.

“They could then have a period on a less restricted diet and then resume treatment.”

Patients who received the device described it as tolerable, although the design has since improved.

“It might actually help a lot of people.”

The research team consisted of Brunton, Dr Jithendra Ratnayake, Dr Peter Mei and Dr Arthi Veerasamy, all from the University of Otago, Dr Jonathan Bodansky, Leeds, and Dr Richard Hall, RMH Consultancy, Leeds.

The article was published in the British Dental Journal.