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
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
Discovering Genes For X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,789.00
Summary
Our goal is to explore peripheral nerve degeneration by identifying the genes causing X-linked forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy. Using bioinformatic resources, next generation sequencing and state of-the-art microarray and mutation scannning technologies we will perform comprehensive systematic analysis of candidate genes on the X chromosome. Discovery of genes for this subset of inherited peripheral neuropathies will elucidate mechanisms causing neurodegeneration and lead to targeted the ....Our goal is to explore peripheral nerve degeneration by identifying the genes causing X-linked forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy. Using bioinformatic resources, next generation sequencing and state of-the-art microarray and mutation scannning technologies we will perform comprehensive systematic analysis of candidate genes on the X chromosome. Discovery of genes for this subset of inherited peripheral neuropathies will elucidate mechanisms causing neurodegeneration and lead to targeted therapeutic treatment strategies.Read moreRead less
Identification Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Genes Required For Iron/haem Acquisition And Biofilm Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,836.00
Summary
Periodontal diseases are some of the most common bacterial diseases of humans and along with dental caries, account for approximately 90% of all tooth loss in the Australian population. A recent survey of oral health in Australia found that in the 30-34 age group over 20% of people had moderate to severe periodontal disease, indicating that periodontitis is a major public health problem. Specific bacteria, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, that grow as bacterial biofilms (dental plaque) cause ....Periodontal diseases are some of the most common bacterial diseases of humans and along with dental caries, account for approximately 90% of all tooth loss in the Australian population. A recent survey of oral health in Australia found that in the 30-34 age group over 20% of people had moderate to severe periodontal disease, indicating that periodontitis is a major public health problem. Specific bacteria, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, that grow as bacterial biofilms (dental plaque) cause periodontal disease. In this study we will utilise the latest technology available to determine which genes of the bacterium are important for biofilm growth, iron acquisition and virulence in an animal model. We will investigate how the bacterium acquires iron, as there is usually little available iron for bacterial growth on human tissues and the ability of the bacterium to free itself from this iron limitation is associated with pathogenicity. The determination of the role of iron availability in biofilm formation and virulence of the bacterium will help us to understand the changes that occur in the initiation of disease and may allow the development of early intervention strategies. The significance of this work is that we will gain an understanding of how this bacterium functions as an opportunistic human pathogen. We will determine which genes are essential for growth as a biofilm and to produce disease in an animal model. This will enable the development of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions targeted to specific bacterial gene products required to produce disease.Read moreRead less
Reflex Control Of Human Jaw Muscles By Periodontal Mechanoreceptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,173.00
Summary
An understanding of the functional connection between the jaw muscles and various receptor organs in and around the mouth is necessary to elucidate the process of chewing and its underlying rules. Unless the details of this functional connection in health and disease are thoroughly understood, the diagnosis and treatment of chewing related disorders will remain at the present state. For example: a We still do not know why chewing in edentulous subjects is less efficient and why the bite forces i ....An understanding of the functional connection between the jaw muscles and various receptor organs in and around the mouth is necessary to elucidate the process of chewing and its underlying rules. Unless the details of this functional connection in health and disease are thoroughly understood, the diagnosis and treatment of chewing related disorders will remain at the present state. For example: a We still do not know why chewing in edentulous subjects is less efficient and why the bite forces in these individuals immediately fall to about 20 % of the teethed value. Do jaw muscles in these subjects get weak because they get less support from the receptor organs around the teeth? a We still do not understand the cause-causes of the temporomandibular dysfunction (a painful disease involving jaw muscles) which forms 18.7 % of total dental patients consulted per week in South Australia. This South Australian study indicated that the current treatments (such as pain killers, night plates, massage) Ocures? only about the half of all patients. We cannot increase the success of the treatment if we do not fully understand the control mechanisms of chewing? It is expected that the results of this study will establish the functional connection between one of the most important receptor organs in the mouth (periodontal mechanoreceptors) to the jaw muscle motoneurons in subjects with healthy teeth and gums and will illustrate the importance of keeping the periodontium healthy for developing strong and smooth masticatory forces. This knowledge can also allow us to treat jaw related disorders by approaches that bring back normal operation of the system. For example, this knowledge may help us design active dentures that replace the missing support.Read moreRead less