Prevention of caries: nanoparticles that destroy plaque
Nanotechnology will help to defeat caries
Ivan Zagorsky, VestiMost likely, the latest achievements of scientists in the field of nanotechnology will not please dentists very much.
Of course, they will not be out of work in the foreseeable future, but they will become noticeably less likely to contact them.
Researchers from the University of Rochester and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine have developed tiny spherical particles that deliver antimicrobials directly to the surface of the teeth to combat plaque and caries as effectively as possible.
Recall that plaque is a film of bacteria and polymer molecules that are securely attached to the enamel of teeth. Bacteria process sugars in the oral cavity and produce acid as a byproduct that destroys teeth.
The problem with existing antimicrobials is that they are almost immediately washed off with saliva. Therefore, researchers have been experimenting with nanoscale delivery vehicles capable of attaching to teeth for a long time. The main advantage of the new particles is that, unlike previous developments, they can attach not only directly to the tooth surface, but also to the plaque biofilm.
The new nanoparticles are assembled from two polymer parts with different properties. The outer shell has a positive charge, which allows it to reliably attach to negatively charged enamel and bacterial film. The inner core reacts to increased acidity by releasing molecules of the drug farnesol exactly in the place where it is most needed.
As reported in an article published in the journal ACS Nano (Horev et al., pH-Activated Nanoparticles for Controlled Topical Delivery of Farnesol To Disrupt Oral Biofilm Virulence), laboratory experiments have shown that nanoparticles cope with plaque twice as well as when teeth are simply treated with farnesol.
The scientists also conducted a series of experiments on rats infected with the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, which is the main culprit for the development of caries. While the use of the drug in its pure form turned out to be ineffective, the charged nanocapsules showed good results.
"We treated rodents' teeth for thirty seconds twice a day, simulating morning and evening rinses that people can do," study participant Hyun Koo said in a press release from the University of Rochester (Nanoparticles provide novel way to apply drugs to dental plaque). – When the drug was administered without nanoparticles, it did not affect the number of cavities in the teeth and only slightly alleviated the consequences of caries. But when the drug was delivered by nanoparticles, it significantly reduced the number of cavities."
However, the technology may have a significant drawback. Experts point out that, thanks to the ability to attach to the biofilm, new particles can land on the surface of the tongue and in other areas of the oral cavity where microorganisms perform a useful function.
In addition, having completed their mission, the particles are likely to be swallowed. Therefore, before clinical trials, scientists will have to find out how safe they are for the body and whether they can cause poisoning.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru13.04.2015