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As the world of dentistry expands and grows in a variety of directions, there are still many who continue working on the age-old question of how best to treat dental caries. One of those people is Prof. Janet Moradian-Oldak, from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, U.S. In what could be a revolutionary step in the dental industry, Moradian-Oldak is in the midst of developing a hydrogel that can promote the growth of an enamel-like surface on teeth and remineralize the dentin. In an interview with Dental Tribune International, Moradian-Oldak spoke about the origin of the idea and the current stage of her research.
What led you to the idea of developing the hydrogel and what is the theory behind it?
We did not have a stable and appropriate cell line that could be used to regenerate enamel tissue; therefore, we decided to use a chemical engineering strategy to try and fabricate synthetic enamel. We focused on the chemical events that happen outside of the enamel-making cells in order to create enamel. This meant using the right ions and proteins that make enamel hydroxyapatite (calcium and phosphate) crystals. We used chitosan gel as an inert carrier within which the chemistry would take place.
How has your research developed since the initial conception of the idea?
We started by using a full-length recombinant synthetic protein called amelogenin to regrow a newly formed synthetic mineralized layer on enamel. What was special was the strong chemical bonding between the synthetic layer and the underlying tooth, something that is hard to achieve with conventional dental restorative materials and adhesives. We then focused on remineralization rather than synthesis of bulk enamel because the latter process is simply too complex and needs too many components. To make the product more clinically practical, we continued and developed a formulation which contained short synthetic peptides with active functional domains of amelogenin. We now have a technology which hasn’t quite reached the complex hierarchical structure of enamel but is at a level which will be functional and has improved properties when compared to damaged enamel.
How do you think the gel could most benefit dentists?
If used as a preventive measure on early carious lesions, it will prevent progression of dental decay. It will provide a tool to treat lesions where conventional dental restorative materials are difficult to use and do not last long. Such an example is noncarious cervical lesions where achieving long-term adhesion between restorative material and the underlying tooth is a big challenge. It will also minimize the occurrence of secondary caries.
What are some of the major challenges you still need to overcome, and when do you think the hydrogel could be on the market?
The two main challenges we face are to prove that the hydrogel works in the human mouth, which we plan to test by means of clinical trials and to pass the regulatory steps. As to when it will be on the market, it depends on how soon we can pass the regulatory steps and demonstrate the safety of the product prior to clinical trials.
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Any develoments in this space?
Any update on this? I want this like yesterday if possible.
what are the updates on this? When will it be available to the public? I am very interested to use this myself!