10-2-09
Another successful Face to Face Friday.
My F2F topic including information on a new technology that allows the re-growing of teeth–the first time scientists have been able to reform human dental tissue.
A miniature chip was developed by engineers and offers a non-invasive way to stimulate jaw growth and dental tissue healing. Using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound with the chip allows for the regeneration of teeth.
“It’s very exciting because we have shown the results and actually have something you can touch and feel that will impact the health of people in Canada and throughout the world,” said Chen, who works out of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the National Institute for Nanotechnology.
The design is wireless using the ultrasound transducer, this allows the divice to fit comfortably inside a patient’s mouth while packed in biocompatible materials. The device is placed on a braces or orthodontic bracket to hold it in place. The energy sensor will target the area with the teeth roots within the bone.
“If the root is broken, it can now be fixed,” said El-Bialy. “And because we can regrow the teeth root, a patient could have his own tooth rather than foreign objects in his mouth.”
This will probably become a very popular device as the baby boomers continue to age. Their generation did not have the dental care that was available for our generation. The device is aimed at those experiencing dental root resorption, a common effect of mechanical or chemical injury to dental tissue caused by diseases and endocrine disturbances. Sometimes there is even damage from wearing braces, causing progressive root reposition.
Here’s the rub though, you have to hold the ultrasound on the tooth area for 20 minutes a day for an ENTIRE year! A little daunting.
I’m having fun looking up random technologies that are available to us but I think from now on, I’m going to aim to look for things that apply to my interests. If I’m going to put in the effort to face to face ideas I want to have it go towards my knowledge about the non-profit or environmental field.
