Photo: AndreyPopov / iStock / Getty Images
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania's dental school has uncovered vital information about rare craniofacial disorders that develop during childhood. The research, published in the American Chemical Society's journal, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, used innovative methods to study tooth enamel and dentin development. The interdisciplinary team, led by Assistant Professor Kyle Vining, combined materials science, mineralogy, and human genetics to explore the properties of teeth as biological materials.
The study utilized a geology-inspired tool, the nanoindenter, to measure the elasticity, stiffness, and mineral content of tooth enamel. The researchers used postnatal day-12 mouse teeth, chosen for their genetic similarities to humans with craniofacial syndromes, to gain insights into how teeth mineralize. According to Penn Dental Medicine, this research could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments for both rare craniofacial diseases and common dental cavities.
The study's findings are significant because they challenge the assumption that understanding bone automatically translates to understanding teeth. Vining explained, "Teeth have a different composition, require different analytical tools, and behave differently during development." The research team, which included collaborators from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, hopes to apply their findings to clinical settings, potentially using their tools to screen for enamel defects and assess treatment outcomes.
The study has already influenced ongoing research on genetic craniofacial diseases in mice, with long-term goals of using these tools in dental clinics to predict disease risk. The study highlights the potential of materials science to uncover new ways to address complex dental and craniofacial conditions.