LEUVEN, Belgium: Bacterial and fungal pathogens can form a biofilm on dental implants that is resistant to antimicrobial drugs like antibiotics. As a result, these implants pose a significant risk of infection. A multidisciplinary team of researchers at KU Leuven in Belgium has developed a dental implant that gradually releases such drugs from an integrated reservoir. The antimicrobial liquid could help prevent and fight infections
“Our implant has a built-in reservoir underneath the crown of the tooth,” explained lead author Dr Kaat De Cremer. “A cover screw makes it easy to fill this reservoir with antimicrobial drugs. The implant is made of a porous composite material, so that the drugs gradually diffuse from the reservoir to the outside of the implant, which is in direct contact with the bone cells. As a result, the bacteria can no longer form a biofilm.”
In the laboratory, the implant was subjected to various tests for use with chlorhexidine, a universal mouthwash with a powerful antimicrobial effect. The study shows that the Streptococcus mutans bacterium, a major contributor to tooth decay, is prevented from forming a biofilm on the surface of the implant when the reservoir is filled with the mouthwash. Furthermore, biofilms that were grown beforehand on the implant could be eliminated in the same way. This indicates that the implant would be effective in terms of both preventing and curing infections.
This study, titled “Controlled release of chlorhexidine from a mesoporous silica-containing macroporous titanium dental implant prevents microbial biofilm formation”, was published online in January in Volume 33 of the European Cells and Materials journal.
With newer variants emerging and challenging our previously acquired immunity and creating worldwide uncertainty, there is an urgent need for antiviral ...
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Statistically speaking, nearly two-thirds of the U.S. denture-wearing population suffer frequent fungal infections leading to denture ...
Dentistry, labelled as the highest-risk profession in COVID-19 times because of the aerosol spread in the clinic, has forced dental professionals to look ...
The World Implant Expo (WIE) 2023— a global event designed by pioneers in implantology, brought implantologists together to help them improve their skills...
Health workers may soon have a new weapon in the fight against abscesses—difficult-to-treat bacterial infections that lead to millions of ...
A medicine that was being developed for cancer has shown potential in modulating the immune response to prevent the deadly cytokine storm. Researchers call ...
SÃO PAULO, Brazil: Dental enamel defects (DEDs) are estimated to affect around 20% of children worldwide, and instances such as the fracturing of ...
PHILADELPHIA, U.S.: Some young children experience severe dental caries that resists normal therapies. According to a recent study carried out by ...
Live webinar
Fri. 19 July 2024
5:30 am IST (New Delhi)
Live webinar
Wed. 7 August 2024
3:30 am IST (New Delhi)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
4:30 am IST (New Delhi)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
6:30 pm IST (New Delhi)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Thu. 29 August 2024
5:30 am IST (New Delhi)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
2:30 pm IST (New Delhi)
Live webinar
Tue. 3 September 2024
8:30 pm IST (New Delhi)
To post a reply please login or register