Services
MBEC AssaysTM
Growth device for microbial biofilms
Services ~ Dental Plaque
The Problem
Dental plaque is an example of a complex biofilm forming on the solid surface of the tooth and plays an integral role in the origin of periodontal disease and cavities. Periodontal disease affects one in three adults and more than half of the people aged over 50. It is the primary cause of lost teeth after the age of 35 and can be associated with a variety of other serious health conditions (reference).
The presence in Dental Unit Waterlines (DUWL) of clinically proven human pathogens (e.g. Pseudomonas, Legionella, and nontuberculosis Mycobacterium species) contribute to increased infections, particularly in patients with weakened immune systems (Spratt, D.A, Latif, J, Montebugnoli, L.L & Wilson, M (2004)In vitro modeling of dental water line contamination and decontamination.FEMS Microbiology Letters 235 (2), 363-367.).
Our Solution
Innovotech technology and expertise provides dental product manufacturers an accepted approach to first, evaluate anti-microbial products and then, to develop research studies to validate product efficacy claims suitable for regulatory submission. Testing is conducted in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, a requirement of dentists assessing or endorsing any dental product.
Innovotech test antimicrobial agents including toothpastes, mouthwashes and new active ingredients against biofilms. Innovotech scientists can develop in vitro models of tooth enamel, DUWLs and bacterial colonies forming biofilms and use these models to test:
- Non-antibiotic techniques for removing biofilms including photo-therapies.
- Cleaning regimes and disinfectants for biofilms that form on the walls of DUWL.
- Effects of cleaning-induced corrosion on the formation of biofilms.