In the US alone, more than three million people have dental implants to replace lost teeth. Implants fit much more securely than dentures or bridges, marking a technological leap in dental medicine. While they are meant to last 20 years or more, however, many fall short and need replacing in as little as five years. This is attributed to local problems with inflammation or disease, requiring another invasive and expensive procedure.
“We wanted to address this issue, and so we came up with an innovative new implant,” said Professor Geelsu Hwang, a former engineer who now works at Pennsylvania’s school of dental medicine.
The implant integrates two important technologies, Hwang explained. One is a nanoparticle-infused material which resists bacterial growth. The other is an embedded light source, powered by the natural motions if the mouth such as mastication and toothbrushing, for phototherapy. Hwang and his colleagues hope that their novel platform could...