Dental diseases affecting the gums (periodontal diseases) are extremely prevalent in our society. The effects of periodontal disease can be particularly severe as loss of support for the teeth leads to loose teeth and severely compromised chewing function. If left untreated, the associated loss of function may necessitate extraction of the teeth. We have recently identified cells residing in the periodontal ligament which may be adult stem cells. This project will further characterize these cell ....Dental diseases affecting the gums (periodontal diseases) are extremely prevalent in our society. The effects of periodontal disease can be particularly severe as loss of support for the teeth leads to loose teeth and severely compromised chewing function. If left untreated, the associated loss of function may necessitate extraction of the teeth. We have recently identified cells residing in the periodontal ligament which may be adult stem cells. This project will further characterize these cells and explore whether they can be used to restore periodontal tissues damaged by periodontal disease.Read moreRead less
Tooth Emergence And Oral Streptococci Colonisation: A Longitudinal Study Of Australian Twins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,600.00
Summary
We plan to include over 500 Australian families of twins in this 5-year study and to collect records of tooth emergence, cheek cells for DNA analysis, dental plaque samples for microbiological analysis, as well as other information from questionnaires. Firstly, we want to learn how genetic and non-genetic factors influence the timing and sequence of emergence of primary (baby) teeth. Most children get their baby teeth between the ages of 6 months and 2.5 years, but sometimes they appear earlier, ....We plan to include over 500 Australian families of twins in this 5-year study and to collect records of tooth emergence, cheek cells for DNA analysis, dental plaque samples for microbiological analysis, as well as other information from questionnaires. Firstly, we want to learn how genetic and non-genetic factors influence the timing and sequence of emergence of primary (baby) teeth. Most children get their baby teeth between the ages of 6 months and 2.5 years, but sometimes they appear earlier, even at birth, and some children don't get all their baby teeth until about 4 years. By studying identical twins and non-identical twins we will be able to work out whether genetic factors are most important in determining this variation or whether other factors such as diet or illness also play a significant role. Secondly, we want to find out whether there is a relationship between the timing of emergence of the primary teeth and the growth of bacteria in the mouth that may lead to dental decay. It seems that the most likely source of the bacteria that can cause dental decay is a baby's mother and that children infected before three years of age are more likely to get dental decay subsequently. We will determine when decay-producing bacteria first appear in the mouth and check whether the same types of bacteria are present in twins and their mothers. This information will enable us to sort out whether the process that allows bacteria to become established around the teeth has a strong genetic basis or not. If we can gain a better understanding of how genetic and environmental factors influence dental development, we will be in a better position to manage individuals with altered tooth emergence that can lead to crowded teeth. Furthermore, if we can demonstrate a link between tooth emergence, growth of oral bacteria, and development of dental decay, we should be able to determine the most effective time to introduce preventive measures to control dental disease.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101666
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Endogenous bone regenerative technique to repair hard tissue defects in congenital craniofacial clefts. This project aims to develop an endogenous bone regenerative technique to repair the bony defects in congenital craniofacial clefts, through stimulating patients' latent self-repair mechanisms and reviving their innate capacity for regeneration. The novel technique would replace the existing and controversial surgical bone grafting method.
Tissue Regeneration In Oral Health: Regenerating Damaged Oral Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,833.00
Summary
The regeneration of damaged dental tissues is an emerging area in oral health-based research and is increasingly becoming the forefront of medical-dental interdisciplinary investigations. This idea of repairing damage follows Dr Fiona Wood's unique concept of growing large amounts of specific cells in the lab and spraying them onto damaged tissue, which effectively assists in the repair of the damaged organ. This approach can be similarly used in the dental field by applying prosthetic implants ....The regeneration of damaged dental tissues is an emerging area in oral health-based research and is increasingly becoming the forefront of medical-dental interdisciplinary investigations. This idea of repairing damage follows Dr Fiona Wood's unique concept of growing large amounts of specific cells in the lab and spraying them onto damaged tissue, which effectively assists in the repair of the damaged organ. This approach can be similarly used in the dental field by applying prosthetic implants with cells and growth factors, thus enhancing the regeneration of the damaged dental tissue. Artificial replacement of missing teeth has significant limitations when compared with the natural, original tissues in terms of function and appeal. Bridges and dentures have been used for centuries in dentistry but require periodic maintenance or even replacement after a period of time due to usage or loss of adaptation. Thus, if implants and bridgework can be eliminated, so too will be the problems and costs associated with them. This benefit is specifically aimed at the regional community and the public sector, as these patients are generally not in a financial position to restore missing teeth with bridgework, let alone implants. Our aims are: 1. Examine the function of two recently identified growth factors, Osteoclast-Derived Osteoblastic Factor and Emilin and Multimerin-2, through their effect on paradental in vitro cell regeneration. 2. To assess the role played by collagen bioscaffolds, together with explanted cells and growth factors examined during the in vitro studies, in the healing process by comparing teeth transplanted into an existing socket with those transplanted into a prepared site. 3. Evaluate the effect of growth factors, explanted cells and bioscaffolds on regeneration of tissues lost as a result of ligature-induced periodontal infection.Read moreRead less
Is Non-invasive Management Of Dental Caries In Private Practice Cost-effective? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,136.00
Summary
Despite evidence to the contrary, dentists routinely fill decayed teeth that, managed preventively, would be likely to repair (arrest). The probable cost to society of this approach is enormous. Modeling indicates that each new dental filling is likely to cost an average of $1811 (US) over the life-cycle of a tooth. This figure includes re-treatment costs, and the increased likelihood of more expensive re-treatment in future, such as root canal treatment and tooth crowning. An examination of the ....Despite evidence to the contrary, dentists routinely fill decayed teeth that, managed preventively, would be likely to repair (arrest). The probable cost to society of this approach is enormous. Modeling indicates that each new dental filling is likely to cost an average of $1811 (US) over the life-cycle of a tooth. This figure includes re-treatment costs, and the increased likelihood of more expensive re-treatment in future, such as root canal treatment and tooth crowning. An examination of the societal costs involved is likely to reveal this amount to be an under-estimate; consider the costs borne by sectors outside health: days lost to work, lost productivity. Further, we should consider costs to families: travel time and costs, childcare, the opportunity cost of items forgone in order to pay for the dental treatment. Despite this, a recent systematic review of dental caries prevention concluded 'there is presently no proof, in published economic evaluations of the cost-effectiveness of caries-preventive measures'. The authors highlighted a lack of methodologically sound studies. This research will compare a targeted preventive program to standard care within private dental practices. Prior to an alternative approach being introduced, an assessment of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness is needed. It is through such assessment that the value of the comparator can be assessed and our precious health dollars saved. The radical surgical approach (filling) that evolved to deal with the caries problem is entrenched in both public and private institutions that teach and deliver dental care. The strategic element is to reorient the services provided by general practices towards to goal of delivering a substantial reduction in the need to drill teeth, while maximizing the opportunity for a non-invasive remineralization approach that has been successfully demonstrated in in-vitro, in-vivo, and in small scale clinical trials.Read moreRead less