Credit score: King’s Faculty London
A staff of scientists have designed a brand new kind of denture with octopus-like suckers for improved grip and luxury.
The researchers at King’s Faculty London (KCL) explored how they may replicate the suckers octopuses have on their eight arms which permit them to connect to surfaces.
They then formulated the concept of utilizing comparable suckers to connect to the delicate mucosa of the mouth. Consequently, the researchers designed small ‘suction cups’ into 3D-printed fashions utilizing CAD.
Following evaluation, they discovered that the brand new denture design had twice the quantity of retention as commonplace dentures.
As well as, the researchers explored how chemical modifications might assist to repair dentures in place. Their analysis revealed {that a} skinny lining of keratin, the protein present in hair and pores and skin, on plastic dentures improves retention additional resulting from a chemical bond. That is additionally invisible, which means the aesthetics of the dentures just isn’t impacted.
The scientists, who belong to the KCL school of dentistry, oral and craniofacial sciences, consider the brand new design might assist denture wearers throughout the UK. They recommend it might support 11% of the UK inhabitants who use a denture and the 350 million of individuals around the globe who haven’t any pure tooth in any respect.
The octopus-like suction design would take away the necessity for denture adhesive and enhance the retention, in keeping with the researchers.
Credit score: King’s Faculty London
‘Improved grip and luxury’
Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, lead writer of the examine at King’s Faculty London, stated: ‘Having labored with denture wearers, who I typically see in clinic, for a number of years, I actually needed to enhance their experiences.
‘I first had the concept to copy sticky surfaces in nature whereas biting right into a peach. I seen how the furry pores and skin caught to the palate of my mouth and determined to research different sticky surfaces in nature. Octopus suckers appeared like the proper place to start out.
‘This analysis bridges nature and expertise to deal with a long-standing problem for denture wearers. By mimicking the ingenious adhesive methods present in octopus suction cups, we’ve got developed a prototype that gives improved grip and luxury in even essentially the most demanding oral environments.
‘Our findings pave the way in which for a brand new technology of dentures that may remodel the standard of life for thousands and thousands worldwide.’
Dr Eda Dzinovic is a researcher in dental supplies at King’s Faculty London. She stated: ‘This work showcases the facility of “biomimicry” in fixing real-world medical challenges.
‘It’s inspiring to see how insights from nature, mixed with cutting-edge manufacturing methods, can result in improvements that enhance each performance and affected person satisfaction. Contributing to this undertaking has been an unbelievable alternative to push the boundaries of dental materials science.’
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