Mussel adhesive protein coating: A potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teeth

Introduction: Nowadays, cracked tooth syndrome is the third main cause of tooth extraction, following caries and periodontal diseases, done in almost all the dental clinics. Nevertheless, the diagnosis and treatment of this condition remain controversial. All candidate therapeutics, such as occlusal...

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Main Authors: Li Bo-Lin, Cao Ying, Li Quan-Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
Series:Dental Hypotheses
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.dentalhypotheses.com/article.asp?issn=2155-8213;year=2015;volume=6;issue=3;spage=82;epage=85;aulast=Bo-Lin
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spelling doaj-90b24005844549da8ed0f639312edec82020-11-24T22:22:25ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsDental Hypotheses2155-82132015-01-0163828510.4103/2155-8213.163810Mussel adhesive protein coating: A potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teethLi Bo-LinCao YingLi Quan-LiIntroduction: Nowadays, cracked tooth syndrome is the third main cause of tooth extraction, following caries and periodontal diseases, done in almost all the dental clinics. Nevertheless, the diagnosis and treatment of this condition remain controversial. All candidate therapeutics, such as occlusal adjustment, preventive filling, root canal therapy (RCT), and crown restoration, provide unpredictable outcomes. As such, methods to prevent further crack development and to induce crack self-healing must be developed. The Hypothesis: Mussels secreting adhesive foot protein (Mafp) can attach to various surfaces under aqueous conditions. In nature, mussels adhere to stones and deposit layer by layer through mineralization, thereby forming mussel-stone composites with excellent mechanical property. Given the natural process of mussel-stone complex formation, we hypothesize that application of Mafp coating at the crack interface may mineralize the cracks by capturing calcium and phosphate ions from the saliva. This process consequently leads to crack self-healing and complete restoration of the tooth structure. Evaluation of the Hypothesis: To test our hypothesis, we need to develop a model in vivo. Cracked teeth disks are adhered together using Mafp solution. Then, the tooth disks are sutured on the interior side of the cheeks. After regular intervals, the disks are removed and characterized. Scanning electron microscopy is performed to evaluate the morphology of the crack interface. Microhardness and shear bond strength are used to evaluate the mechanical property of the healing cracked zone. Transmission electron microscopy is also conducted to evaluate the crystallinity of the crack interface.http://www.dentalhypotheses.com/article.asp?issn=2155-8213;year=2015;volume=6;issue=3;spage=82;epage=85;aulast=Bo-LinBiomimetic mineralizationbiomineralizationcracked tooth syndromemussel adhesive proteinself-healing
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Li Bo-Lin
Cao Ying
Li Quan-Li
spellingShingle Li Bo-Lin
Cao Ying
Li Quan-Li
Mussel adhesive protein coating: A potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teeth
Dental Hypotheses
Biomimetic mineralization
biomineralization
cracked tooth syndrome
mussel adhesive protein
self-healing
author_facet Li Bo-Lin
Cao Ying
Li Quan-Li
author_sort Li Bo-Lin
title Mussel adhesive protein coating: A potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teeth
title_short Mussel adhesive protein coating: A potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teeth
title_full Mussel adhesive protein coating: A potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teeth
title_fullStr Mussel adhesive protein coating: A potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teeth
title_full_unstemmed Mussel adhesive protein coating: A potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teeth
title_sort mussel adhesive protein coating: a potential therapeutic method for self-healing of cracked teeth
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
series Dental Hypotheses
issn 2155-8213
publishDate 2015-01-01
description Introduction: Nowadays, cracked tooth syndrome is the third main cause of tooth extraction, following caries and periodontal diseases, done in almost all the dental clinics. Nevertheless, the diagnosis and treatment of this condition remain controversial. All candidate therapeutics, such as occlusal adjustment, preventive filling, root canal therapy (RCT), and crown restoration, provide unpredictable outcomes. As such, methods to prevent further crack development and to induce crack self-healing must be developed. The Hypothesis: Mussels secreting adhesive foot protein (Mafp) can attach to various surfaces under aqueous conditions. In nature, mussels adhere to stones and deposit layer by layer through mineralization, thereby forming mussel-stone composites with excellent mechanical property. Given the natural process of mussel-stone complex formation, we hypothesize that application of Mafp coating at the crack interface may mineralize the cracks by capturing calcium and phosphate ions from the saliva. This process consequently leads to crack self-healing and complete restoration of the tooth structure. Evaluation of the Hypothesis: To test our hypothesis, we need to develop a model in vivo. Cracked teeth disks are adhered together using Mafp solution. Then, the tooth disks are sutured on the interior side of the cheeks. After regular intervals, the disks are removed and characterized. Scanning electron microscopy is performed to evaluate the morphology of the crack interface. Microhardness and shear bond strength are used to evaluate the mechanical property of the healing cracked zone. Transmission electron microscopy is also conducted to evaluate the crystallinity of the crack interface.
topic Biomimetic mineralization
biomineralization
cracked tooth syndrome
mussel adhesive protein
self-healing
url http://www.dentalhypotheses.com/article.asp?issn=2155-8213;year=2015;volume=6;issue=3;spage=82;epage=85;aulast=Bo-Lin
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AT caoying musseladhesiveproteincoatingapotentialtherapeuticmethodforselfhealingofcrackedteeth
AT liquanli musseladhesiveproteincoatingapotentialtherapeuticmethodforselfhealingofcrackedteeth
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