Bacteria-fighting 3D-printed teeth on the horizon

The future of dentistry could be here sooner than you think. Researchers from The University of Groningen are working on the cutting-edge of 3D-printing, pioneering a printed tooth from antimicrobial plastic that destroys tooth decaying bacteria.

The team achieved their bacteria fighting teeth by embedding antimicrobial quaternary ammonium salts inside existing dental resin polymers. Having the teeth fight bacteria is an important feature that will combat the millions of dollars spent ever year on bacterial damage to dental implants.

The embedded salts cause bacterial membranes to burst and die through opposing positive and negative charges. “The material can kill bacteria on contact, but on the other hand it’s not harmful to human cells,” Dr Andreas Hermann of the University of Groningen told New Scientist.

When testing the teeth’s resistance, the team coated them in tooth decaying bacteria for six days, over which time the teeth killed 99 per cent of the bacteria. The 3D-printed teeth are still undergoing tests and there could be a long way to go. “For clinical used we need to extend this, and investigate the compatibility with toothpaste,” said Dr Hermann.

The teeth are formed by placing the salt and resin polymers in a 3D printer before exposing them to an ultra violet light, which hardens the mix to achieve a solid printed tooth.

There is still a way to go though, the teeth will have to be subjected to longer bacterial trials and researchers will need to ascertain their ability to stand up to the wear and tear of daily life.

At the March 2015 Vancouver TED conference there was even discussion of on the spot 3D-printed teeth. Joseph De Simone of the University of North Carolina suggested that dentists would have access to “point-of-sale manufacturing”, creating teeth whilst patients wait.

Dr Hermann is optimistic that the teeth will be available soon. “It’s a medical product with a foreseeable application in the near future, much less time than developing a new drug.”