Program Leader: Professor Michael Burrow

 

Participants:
School of Dental Science, The University of Melbourne
GC Corporation, Japan

Objective:
To accelerate the development of new and superior biocompatible dental materials.

Traditional dental materials – such as cements, resins, sealants and implants - can be improved to provide better clinical and aesthetic results.

Researchers at the Cooperative Research Centre for Oral Health Science are developing advanced dental materials that last longer, preserve teeth better, and are more comfortable than traditional materials.

Biomechanical properties of teeth and material interfaces
By investigating the mechanical properties of the tooth structure, and the impact of dental materials on the teeth and jaw, this project is assessing the biocompatibility of new dental materials. The project is also gathering evidence on the optimum use of new materials, including identifying how tooth cavities should be best prepared for restorations (fillings) so that as much of the natural tooth can be conserved as possible, and so that restorations adhere successfully to the tooth.

Development of new dental materials
Fissure caries, caused when dental plaque is retained in the pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of teeth, is a widespread problem around the world. This project is aiming to develop a glass-ionomer fissure sealant containing the CPP-ACP complex in order to optimise the resistance of the surrounding tooth enamel to demineralisation and to initiate re-mineralisation. The project is also developing a high fluoride-releasing Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) which contains CPP-ACP and which can be used to restore teeth or form a base under fillings.

Cross-section of a human tooth captured with a polarized light microscope.