Revolutionizing Dental Care: 3D-Printed Mouthguards for Sustained Fluoride Release

Dental decay is one of the most widespread chronic diseases, affecting >40% of the worldwide population. Traditional methods like mouthwashes and toothpaste often fail to maintain effective fluoride levels due to rapid dilution and clearance, and repeated high doses increase the risk of systemic exposure, including fluorosis. Controlled fluoride-release devices like glass beads and copolymeric reservoirs have been developed, but they often face retention issues.

This study used 3D printing technologies, such as FDM (fused deposition modelling) to create customized fluoride-releasing devices that reduce systemic exposure risks while maintaining high fluoride concentrations near the enamel surface, promoting better fluoride integration compared to traditional methods.

The Science Behind the Innovation

This new approach leverages fused deposition modeling (FDM) to produce customized dental devices that fit precisely onto teeth. These mouthguards utilize composite filaments made of sodium fluoride and polymers like poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(vinyl alcohol) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The materials are designed to sustain fluoride release directly at the enamel-to-device interface, effectively promoting enamel remineralization and preventing tooth decay progression.

Material Testing

Mechanical Strength:
PCL-based formulations exhibited sufficient tensile strength (10–20 MPa) and elasticity to withstand daily wear, making them ideal for dental applications.

Fluoride Release:
Testing showed that devices could release fluoride in controlled bursts, stabilizing at optimal levels for up to 77 days. The addition of PEG led to increased fluoride diffusion, with higher-molecular-weight PEG formulations showing the best results.

Ex Vivo Tooth Testing

Human molars with artificially induced enamel lesions were used to test the mouthguards' effectiveness in fluoride delivery compared to traditional methods:

Procedure: Teeth underwent demineralization to mimic decay and were divided into groups exposed to:

Fluoride-free artificial saliva

NaF solutions (low and high concentrations).

NaF-loaded 3D-printed mouthguards.

Results: Teeth treated with NaF-loaded mouthguards showed significantly higher fluoride incorporation into the enamel, with some formulations increasing fluoride integration by 230% compared to solutions.

The fluoride release from the mouthguards led to remineralization of the lesions, preventing further decay.

Unlike conventional fluoride solutions, the mouthguards delivered fluoride directly to the enamel, minimizing dilution and enhancing efficacy.

SEM and Fluoride Mapping

Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed fluoride incorporation. The treated enamel showed a clear fluoride gradient near the tooth surface, indicating deep mineral integration and enhanced remineralization.

Practical Implications for Dentists

This innovation offers a promising tool for dentists to address tooth decay in its early stages. Here’s how it could transform dental care:

Enhanced Prevention:
The sustained fluoride release reduces the need for frequent reapplication, improving patient compliance.

Tailored Treatment:
Dentists can customize fluoride concentrations to suit individual patient needs, targeting areas prone to decay.

Minimized Side Effects:
Unlike high-dose fluoride treatments, the controlled release reduces the risk of fluorosis and systemic exposure.

GGI-CO-A1-AQS-300032384-AM-B25-0187
Reference:
Berger V, Luo Z, Leroux JC. 3D printing of a controlled fluoride delivery device for the prevention and treatment of tooth decay. J Control Release. 2022;348:870-880. doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.06.032

Vantej Forte

Dental & Oral Health

Dentinal Hypersensitivity

Vantej Forte

Vantej Forte, enriched with Calcium Fluoro Phosphosilicate (CFPS), is a powerful remineralizing and occluding desensitizer. It effectively treats post-enamel decay and dentin decay, especially in patients undergoing filling or crown replacement after decay treatment.

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Revolutionizing Dental Care: 3D-Printed Mouthguards for Sustained Fluoride Release

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