Inventor Creates Weight-Loss Device That Shuts Your Jaw Tight

An inventor has attracted interest and criticism from around the world for a weight-loss device that keeps your mouth shut.

It's a pretty simple idea: two magnets are inserted onto opposing top and bottom teeth and when engaged, they ensure your mouth can't be opened to insert food.

The DentalSlim Diet Control was developed by teams at the University of Otago in New Zealand and scientists in Leeds, England. They've heralded it as a 'world-first weight-loss device to help fight the global obesity epidemic'.

It's been used on seven Dunedin women so far and they trialled it for a week while only being allowed to survive on a liquid diet.

University of Otago

At the end of the trial the women had lost an average 5.1 per cent of their body weight - a mean loss of 6.36kg.

While that's a big win for just a week of dieting, the women reported feeling uncomfortable, embarrassed and struggled to speak with the device engaged. On the whole, they reported to officials that 'life in general was less satisfying' with the implant.

However, the team behind this bizarre device reckon it's the way of the future for some people struggling to shift their weight.

Professor Paul Brunton, who helped develop the invention, said: "The main barrier for people for successful weight loss is compliance and this helps them establish new habits, allowing them to comply with a low-calorie diet for a period of time.

"It really kick-starts the process. It is a non-invasive, reversible, economical and attractive alternative to surgical procedures. The fact is, there are no adverse consequences with this device."

Since it went viral on social media, people have raised some serious concerns about living with a device like this.

The University of Otago has addressed some of those concerns.

It wrote: "To clarify, the intention of the device is not intended as a quick or long-term weight-loss tool; rather it is aimed to assist people who need to undergo surgery and who cannot have the surgery until they have lost weight."

"After two or three weeks they can have the magnets disengaged and device removed.

"They could then have a period with a less restricted diet and then go back into treatment. This would allow for a phased approach to weight loss supported by advice from a dietician."

We're not sure this will take off any time soon.

Topics: News, Interesting, Weird

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie