Scientists Working On New Diamond Dental Implants
Scientists from UCLA and the NanoCarbon Research Institute in Japan have discovered that tiny diamonds could be sued to improve the efficacy of dental implant treatment and reduce the risk of osteonecrosis, a disease that affects the bone tissue in the jaw.
Scientists have discovered that nanodiamonds, which are so small that they cannot be seen by the human eye, could be used to facilitate bone growth, reduce the risk of osteonecrosis and prolong the lifespan of dental implants, an increasingly popular treatment option for patients with missing teeth.
Researchers from UCLA and the NanoCarbon Research Institute in Japan have discovered that the tiny diamonds can help to prevent bone loss in the jaw, which improves the chance of successful implant treatment. Dean Ho, a professor of oral biology and medicine at the UCLA School of Dentistry, explained that the diamonds can be used to promote bone growth; traditionally, a sponge is used to deliver proteins to facilitate bone growth, but Dr Ho said that diamonds could be used for this process, as they allow the proteins to be delivered at a slower pace, which prolongs the period of bone growth. The nanodiamonds can also be administered without the need for injections or needles.
Laura Moore, a PhD student from Northwestern University, which was also involved in the study, said that the initial trials on animals and humans had proved very successful and believes that the treatment has great potential. Dr Ho also added that the treatment is very versatile with a wide range of benefits for many patients and he said that them team is looking forward to continuing work on the project.
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