Could a new vaccine put an end to painful dental surgery?
For many, even the mention of undergoing dental treatment is enough to make them feel anxious, but painful trips to the dentist could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a revolutionary new vaccine.
Researchers in Australia claim that the injection, which encourages the body’s immune system and natural healing processes to treat gum disease, could become available within the next 3-5 years. Scientists at the University of Melbourne have been working on a preventative vaccine with CSL for the best part of fifteen years, and they believe the finished article will make waves in modern dentistry.
A study dedicated to a prototype of the team’s injection has been featured in the journal, NPJ Vaccines. The team claims that the vaccine works by stimulating the body’s natural defence mechanisms, and subsequently neutralises Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria. This strain of bacterium is responsible for damaging both gum and bone tissue, and therefore the vaccine will help to prevent tissue damage, and reduce the risk of premature tooth loss. Patients who receive the vaccine are also less likely to need intensive dental treatment further down the line.
Gum disease affects around a third of adults, and studies have suggested that it elevates the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, as well as leading to tooth loss.
Researcher, Professor Eric Reynolds, explained that the vaccine offers something different to treatments that are currently used. Surgery and intensive cleaning are effective, but they don’t prevent bacterial activity, and this means that it’s difficult to actually cure periodontitis. There are “high hopes” that this vaccine could make a real difference to thousands of people in years to come.
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