Additively Manufactured TPU Acoustic Metamaterials for High-Frequency Noise Mitigation in Dental Rotary Instruments

Abstract

Noise generated by high-speed dental turbines represents a persistent challenge in dental clinics, affecting both patient comfort and the occupational well-being of medical staff. This study investigates the potential of additively manufactured thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) acoustic metamaterials for highfrequency noise mitigation in dental applications. A layered metamaterial panel based on periodic hexagonal unit cells is proposed and numerically evaluated as a compact and frequency-selective acoustic treatment. A vibro-acoustic simulation framework is employed to assess the sound transmission loss (STL) performance of the proposed metamaterial in comparison with a solid TPU panel of equivalent thickness. Two configurations are analysed: a reference case without acoustic treatment and a modified case in which the TPU-based metamaterial is integrated onto the head of a dental rotary bur. Overall, the findings highlight the effectiveness of compact TPU-based acoustic metamaterials as a promising solution for targeted noise mitigation in dental environments. The proposed approach combines acoustic efficiency, design flexibility, and compatibility with additive manufacturing, thereby facilitating its potential integration into dental equipment and clinical noise control strategies.