the Experience of creating three-dimensional “organs-on-a-chip” specialists are already considerable. Explain that we are talking about complex structures on which to grow tissue of an organ functioning as a natural analogue.
the structure also contains microfluidic channels to power a variety of chemical substances toxic to the audited body or, on the contrary, treatment.
by Studying the reaction of the tissue, researchers can determine how can be corrupt the whole body and what treatment will help to cope with this damage.
the same principle operates the world’s first “tooth-on-chip”, created by researchers from the United States and Brazil.
the Authors took a thin slice of dentin (hard tissue of the tooth, the component of its main part) from human molars and placed it between the clear rubber “walls”. Last, as expected, riddled with tiny channels through which can flow a particular fluid.
Cut dentin on the one hand “planted” by the cells of the pulp. Recall that the so-called loose fibrous connective tissue that fills the cavity of the tooth.
the Pulp has a number of important functions, for example, promotes the stimulation of regenerative processes is the formation of substitution of dentin in the carious process.
“Tooth-on-a-chip” – the first device that mimics a real tooth “in vitro” and allows to observe how the bacteria penetrate into the tooth through the protective layer.
For observations of how the fabric interacts with the pathogens or medicinal materials requires a microscope.
“Tooth-on-a-chip” – the first device that allows you to observe how the bacteria penetrate into the tooth through the protective layer.OHSU photo/Kristyna Wentz-Graff.
Experts are sure the “tooth-on-a-chip” will help to better understand how microbes attack the human teeth, and to develop new methods of treatment and prevention of dental caries and other diseases.
“Today seals ne work as they should. Their lifespan is on average five to seven years,” denotes one of the key problems of dentistry author Luis Bertazzoni (Luiz Bertassoni) from the University of Oregon science and health.
According to him, the experts still couldn’t figure out what’s going on at the junction of the tooth and fillings.
“New device can help to solve this problem, giving us the opportunity to observe what is happening there, in real time,” the scientist said.
in addition, the technology can be used to optimize treatment procedures. The idea is to make dental care personalized, that is, to choose restorative materials that will last better and longer on the basis of data on the condition of the teeth of the particular patient and his microbiota of the oral cavity.
However, it will have to take samples of dentin.
“a few years dentists will be able to extract [a fragment] of the tooth of the patient, load it into the device, to see how restorative materials interact with tooth and choose the one that is best suited for that particular patient,” says about the possible prospects Louis Bertazzoni.
in addition, observation of cells in their natural environment will help to better understand the process of tooth formation and their reactions to all kinds of influences. Perhaps this technology will be useful to improve methods of growing new teeth.
the Authors describe the development of the article presented in the journal Lab on a Chip.
by the Way, before “Conduct.Science” (nauka.vesti.ru) wrote about the new materials that will prolong the life of dental fillings two times and revolutionary way of recovering the “obstinate” part of the tooth.
Text: To.Science
