If you’re one of the many people who forget to floss, you
may have a lucky break coming your way in the near future: nanoparticles. These
tiny substances – composed of compounds like calcium phosphate and silica for
oral health purposes – could revolutionize the way we look at teeth cleaning.
According to a recent article in MedGadget,
when researchers at University of Rochester and University of Pennsylvania
developed drug-releasing nanoparticles, they noted that they’re “engineered with
a positively-charged outer segment to bind to negatively-charged sites on
plaque biofilms and tooth enamel, effectively anchoring the particles in place.”
In essence, the nanoparticles can attack the plaque. Imagine
if you had way to keep plaque from building up and causing cavities that did
not involve brushing and flossing daily?
These particles have benefits outside of their convenience
in application. In a head-to-head study against a free drug that wasn’t bound
to nanoparticles – “the drug-loaded nanoparticles were four times more powerful
in destroying the bugs (Streptococcus mutans, in this study) than the
free drug alone. They attributed this fact to the ability of the
nanoparticles to adhere and deliver the drug in a controlled-release fashion,
targeting [specific] sites of bacterial growth (biofilms) to deliver higher
concentrations locally.”
Don’t throw away your old brush just yet though. As with all
new, innovative products – there’s a catch. Research is still limited to the
particles benefits, and there are a number of unanswered questions regarding
the safety of ingesting these particles – or having them congregate in areas
outside of the mouth. Many are worried that, due to their tiny size, the
nanoparticles may end up attaching instead to other organs once swallowed.
What’s to stop them from attaching to biofilm elsewhere in the body, and
combatting the good bacteria?
At this stage of research and development it is believed
that these tiny robot cleaners will first infiltrate the world of traditional
dentistry – cavity filling, localized medicine delivery and dental implants –
but eventually the scope of
technology will soon broaden. Researchers hope the innovation will include
“Taking high quality images of your mouth with lower levels of radiation,” and
even the “delivering local anesthesia (no more long needles!) or providing
painless, quick orthodontic services.”
In an effort to provide Artistic Dental patients with the
latest treatments in dentistry, we are always looking at what is in
development. Nanoparticle research is still in its infancy, but we will be
watching and learning what we can. In the meantime, we continue to do all we
can to provide our patients with a clear understanding of their treatment
options and the best oral care available.
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