Tooth wear is a significant clinical problem for both older people who have kept their natural teeth and for some younger individuals. The main causes of tooth wear are attrition (resulting from tooth to tooth contact), abrasion (from dietary and environmental abrasives) and erosion (caused by acidic food and drinks or from regurgitation of acid). At present our understanding of the relative significance of these types of wear and the exact conditions under which excessive wear occurs is limited ....Tooth wear is a significant clinical problem for both older people who have kept their natural teeth and for some younger individuals. The main causes of tooth wear are attrition (resulting from tooth to tooth contact), abrasion (from dietary and environmental abrasives) and erosion (caused by acidic food and drinks or from regurgitation of acid). At present our understanding of the relative significance of these types of wear and the exact conditions under which excessive wear occurs is limited. Furthermore our understanding of the wear characteristics of many commonly used dental materials is limited. The proposed study will provide important new information about: the interaction between applied bite forces and acids in the oral environment as determinants of the rate of tooth wear; the potential for wear prevention using mouth rinses and gels; the wear characteristics of dental materials commonly used to restore teeth.Read moreRead less
Probing Developmental Causes Of Soft Tooth Enamel With Novel Mouse Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,112.00
Summary
Tooth decay is one of the most costly diseases in Australia and was recently called a national tragedy by the Prime Minister. The risk of decay increases if teeth don't harden properly in childhood. This project aims to clarify the causes of soft enamel and identify ways to prevent it. Two new test systems will be used to see how antibiotics and fluoride affect enamel hardening. Our findings will help the battle against tooth decay and guide the safe use of medicines in children.
Case-control Study To Promote Oral Health In Asthmatic Children:Natural Dietary Strategies To Conserve Teeth Erosion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$112,500.00
Summary
Asthmatic children are at risk of dental corrosion, from medications that shut off saliva. Saliva protects teeth from acids in soft drinks and stomach-acid reflux. Dentist, William George Young and Nutritionist, Peter Davies, at the University of Queensland study children’s teeth, diet and lifestyles for the best natural methods to promote oral health. They will counsel parents and children on diets that conserve the teeth from dental erosion and decay by salivary stimulation. Patients need to s ....Asthmatic children are at risk of dental corrosion, from medications that shut off saliva. Saliva protects teeth from acids in soft drinks and stomach-acid reflux. Dentist, William George Young and Nutritionist, Peter Davies, at the University of Queensland study children’s teeth, diet and lifestyles for the best natural methods to promote oral health. They will counsel parents and children on diets that conserve the teeth from dental erosion and decay by salivary stimulation. Patients need to self-manage their asthma and diets to avoid negative outcomes and costs in acute medical and dental therapy for these two chronic conditions.Read moreRead less
Molecular Studies Of Dentine Phosphophoryn And Development Of A Biomimetic Dental Restorative Material.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,750.00
Summary
This project involves the study of a protein that is found in teeth and is responsible for the development of dentine. The project involves characterisation of this protein and its interaction with calcium phosphate mineral using a variety of techniques. The information obtained will allow the synthesis of a peptide that will mimick the function of phosphophoryn. This peptide will be used together with stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate in a novel dental restorative material that will help p ....This project involves the study of a protein that is found in teeth and is responsible for the development of dentine. The project involves characterisation of this protein and its interaction with calcium phosphate mineral using a variety of techniques. The information obtained will allow the synthesis of a peptide that will mimick the function of phosphophoryn. This peptide will be used together with stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate in a novel dental restorative material that will help protect the surrounding tooth tissue.The outcome will be an improved understanding of the design principles used by nature to engineer teeth. The significance is the potential development of biocompatible, superior dental restorative materials.Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of Proteins Involved In Biomineralisation Processes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,175.00
Summary
This project involves the study of two proteins that associate with calcium and phosphate. Phosphophoryn is found in teeth and is responsible for the development of dentine in teeth. Osteopontin is a multi-functional protein found in a variety of tissues as well as in bone and in milk. Its functions in bone and milk are unknown although it is believed to be involved in bone remodelling. This project involves characterisation of these two proteins and their interactions with calcium phosphate min ....This project involves the study of two proteins that associate with calcium and phosphate. Phosphophoryn is found in teeth and is responsible for the development of dentine in teeth. Osteopontin is a multi-functional protein found in a variety of tissues as well as in bone and in milk. Its functions in bone and milk are unknown although it is believed to be involved in bone remodelling. This project involves characterisation of these two proteins and their interactions with calcium phosphate mineral using a variety of techniques. The outcome will be an improved understanding of the design principles used by nature to engineer teeth and bone. The significance is the potential development of biocompatible apatite-based biomaterials for both tooth and bone.Read moreRead less
A Clinical And Experimental Study Of The Biomechanical Factors Associated With Tooth Destruction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,527.00
Summary
This project investigates the influence of biting force on the development of non-carious and carious defects of teeth. Strain gauges will be cemented to the neck region of extracted teeth and teeth in the mouth, forces applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth, and the stress which results will be measured by the strain gauge. A profiling technique and high-power microscopy will be used to determine the amount of tooth structure lost as a result of applying the forces in the presence of acid. ....This project investigates the influence of biting force on the development of non-carious and carious defects of teeth. Strain gauges will be cemented to the neck region of extracted teeth and teeth in the mouth, forces applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth, and the stress which results will be measured by the strain gauge. A profiling technique and high-power microscopy will be used to determine the amount of tooth structure lost as a result of applying the forces in the presence of acid. In addition, a computer model will be generated, to determine whether it can be used to predict the stresses. In a clinical study, patients with and without non-carious defects will be followed for three years in order to assess the morphological changes and measure the volume loss of tooth structure which occurs.Read moreRead less