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Dental Material & Bioengineering
Researchers within the School of Dentistry’s labs are behind numerous patents and research advances that have led to the creation of new types of dental materials.
Prevent Oral Infection With High-Tech Dental Material
Silver nanoparticles and BPA-free resins are among the new dental materials developed by researchers within the School of Dentistry’s labs. Dr. Kyumin Whang’s research has studied the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles within fillings, endodontic material, sealants and orthodontic bonding material.
The Latest Facts & Findings
Silver nanoparticles within dental bonding and sealing materials can result in a near elimination of bacteria. Our work has resulted in a significantly increased kill rate of bacteria and reduced rate of post-surgical or post-application infection.
99.99%
of bacteria are eliminated using silver nanoparticles.
$3 million
in NIH funding has been awarded to support BPA-free resin material research.
As far as we know, there is no bacterial resistance to silver ions at the therapeutic doses used. It works where antibiotics fail, and it works in addition to antibiotics to provide added protection against re-infection.
Dr. Kyumin Whang
More About Our Research
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Silver Nanoparticles
Our research has found an antimicrobial implant material using silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in cement can inhibit 99.99% of bacteria against four different strains.
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BPA-free Resin
We are among six NIH-funded institutions examining ways to develop restorative material that will increase the clinical lifetime and eliminate BPA from dental resins.
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Patented Materials
Samples of patented work: dual-cure resins and adhesives with increased cure and color stability and in situ formation of nanoparticles in resins.
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Orthodontic Band Cement
Silver nanoparticles also protect teeth from white spot lesions. The particles offer additional protection against microbes when the silver nanoparticles are part of ortho band cement.