January 3, 2013 — According to an interesting new study just published in Applied Materials & Interfaces (December 2012) a substance found in the common sea mussel may have a dental application. The mussel has an adhesive that is uses to attach to rocks and other surfaces in water. A similar man made substance may now be the key to a new technique to help prevent tooth sensitivity and help repair enamel.
The study authors, from Anhui Medical University and the University of Hong Kong stated that three out of every four people worldwide have teeth that are sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks, according to published reports. In my practice it is a very common problem seen almost daily.
Several products are now being used with some success to help reduce tooth hypersensitivity. An example of this is Sensodyne tooth paste. These work by closing tiny tubules in the root surface. But there is also a need for substances that rebuild enamel and dentin at the same time.
The researchers reasoned that mussel adhesive could help keep minerals in contact with dentin long enough for the rebuilding process to occur. We dentists know that wet surfaces are notoriously hard to adhere to. To overcome that challenge, they turned to a sticky material similar to the adhesive that mussels use to adhere to wet sea surfaces.
The researchers evaluated the effects of two substances, dopamine and polydopamine, on demineralized enamel and dentin surfaces. They found that teeth bathed in the sticky mussel material and minerals reformed both dentin and enamel, while teeth bathed only in minerals reformed only enamel.
The researchers concluded that “Polydopamine coating remarkably promoted demineralized dentin remineralization, and all dentin tubules were occluded by densely packed hydroxyapatite crystals,”. “Thus, coating polydopamine on dental tissue surface may be a simple universal technique to induce enamel and dentin remineralization simultaneously.” Once the dentin tubules and enamel reform to original condition, sensitivity will be reduced.
So what does this mean to you and me. Worn and damaged teeth can be restored to a healthy condition with no drilling or filling. Drilling and filling both are mechanical. Application of materials that heal the tooth is a biological process much more in sink with nature. As an Encino dentist that is the direction I want to go. Have a look at my web site for minimally invasive dentistry. You can find us at https://focusedcaredental.com
It should be noted that those mussels that did not qualify for the project were eaten by the researchers. Therefore the results may not be unbiased and the testing should be repeated.
Tip of the Day: When ever there is a choice, opt for the treatment that disturbs the tooth the least. In my Encino dental office all the risk, benefits and alternatives are always discussed.
