Every day, thousands of people worldwide face challenges related to dental and jaw health. Whether it’s tooth loss, injuries, or the natural aging process, many seek solutions to restore their smiles and quality of life. Scientists from Riga Technical University, in collaboration with the Institute of Stomatology at Riga Stradiņš University, have developed an innovative solution to enhance the treatment of jaw and oral cavity conditions.
The Researchers’ Work
The newly developed solution is a groundbreaking material designed to regenerate tissues and treat inflammation. This material was created by Latvian Science Council funded Fundamental and Applied Research program project titled “Development of antibacterial autologous fibrin matrices in maxillofacial surgery”. While modern manufacturing technologies like plastics or 3D printing might seem like obvious choices, scientists created a material based on substances found in human blood. This means the material is safe for humans.
The primary function of this material is to assist cells in regenerating and forming new tissues. For instance, when a person receives a dental implant, this material helps the implant integrate more safely into the oral cavity. For individuals with traumatic jaw injuries, the material facilitate bone regeneration.
Why Is This Innovation So Unique?
Although similar tissue “glues” exist, until now the infections could occur for the patients. The new material, however, has antibacterial properties, significantly reducing the risk of inflammation and improving the healing process.
How Was It Achieved?
The researchers utilized blood to extract a special substance called fibrin, known for its natural adhesive properties. Fibrin is a protein that forms during blood clotting and serves as an ideal foundation for such biomaterials because it is biocompatible, promotes cell growth, and aids tissue regeneration. To enhance antibacterial properties, fibrin was combined with chitosan, fucoidan and antimicrobial agents. Chitosan and fucoidan were used as building materials for ensuring sustained release of antibacterial agents. Antibiotic drug - clindamycin phosphate has strong antibacterial properties that help prevent and treat infections.
In simple terms:
- Fibrin acts as a “builder” in our bodies, patching up wounds when we get injured.
- Chitosan, fucoidan and clindamycin phosphate functions as a “soldier,” fighting bacteria just as the body fights viruses.
When combined fibrin with additional substances they form a robust team—a builder and a soldier—to simultaneously rebuild and protect the oral and maxillofacial inflammations. This combined material can be used to regenerate bone tissue, ensuring better adhesion, reduced infection risk, and faster healing.
The Basis for This Innovation
The core of the research was to develop a next-generation biomaterial to improve bone regeneration. Traditional treatment methods often fall short, particularly in severe cases involving large bone defects. Dentists highlighted these challenges to researchers, prompting work on an innovative solution to accelerate healing and enhance treatment outcomes for patients.
Before the research began, dentists at the Institute of Stomatology identified two major issues with jawbone regeneration:
- Slow healing processes.
- High risk of infection.
In response, the study aimed to create a material that would be safe and easy to use during dental surgeries and implant procedures while improving bone regeneration and minimizing complications in the long term. Researchers hope this biomaterial will become an effective and safe solution for treating bone defects.
Steps to Creating the Biomaterial
The research was conducted by an interdisciplinary team combining expertise from medicine, materials science, and bioengineering. This collaboration enabled the development of an innovative solution by merging diverse perspectives and approaches.
The process began with blood samples. Using a technique called centrifugation (similar to spinning in a washing machine), the researchers separated blood into its components, isolating fibrin. Fibrin was then combined with defined material combination.
The most challenging part of the study was finding the perfect ratio of these substances and testing their performance under various conditions, simulating the human body.
The material’s effects on cell growth and its antibacterial properties were assessed. The results were promising—researchers discovered the optimal composition to meet their goals.
The most complex phase involved optimizing the material’s structure to support cell growth while ensuring a gradual release of medication. This required extensive experimentation and data analysis. Fibrin research has been ongoing globally for about 20 years. Latvian researchers collaborate with scientific groups all around Europe. PhD students involved in the project traveled to Germany to learn from internationally recognized researchres. Such international collaboration contributed to the innovation’s success.
Future Challenges
Despite significant progress—including the development of the material and its production method — several challenges remain. Securing sufficient funding to continue research and develop the technology is critical. The greatest challenge lies in integrating this material into everyday medical practices, requiring years of studies, safety testing, certification, and potential mass production for market introduction.
Pharmaceutical companies now have the opportunity to use this research and turn it into a commercial products.
Societal Benefits
If a pharmaceutical company produces the new material and it is adopted by medical institutions for bone regeneration procedures, the impact could be profound:
- Improved Quality of Life: For people suffering from bone injuries or degenerative conditions, this technology could accelerate healing, reduce pain, and enhance life quality during recovery.
- Lower Healthcare Costs: Faster recovery times and reduced need for additional surgeries or prolonged hospital stays could lower healthcare expenses. The material’s ease of use would not increase surgery durations.
- Advancement in Medicine: This research drives progress in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, opening doors for treating more complex medical conditions.
Next Steps for Social Benefit
To realize the full potential of this technology, several steps are necessary:
- Clinical Trials: Comprehensive trials are required to evaluate the material’s safety and effectiveness in humans.
- Regulatory Approval: Securing approval from regulatory bodies is essential for commercial application.
- Manufacturing and Distribution: Efficient production processes and distribution networks must be established to make the material accessible worldwide.
- Accessibility: Ensuring affordability and availability is key to benefiting a wide range of patients.
- Ongoing Research and Development: Continuous research is vital to improve the material’s properties and expand its applications.
By addressing these challenges, researchers and healthcare professionals can bring this promising technology to market, improving the lives of patients.
This project, titled “Development of antibacterial autologous fibrin matrices in maxillofacial surgery” (LZP-2020/1-0054), is part of the Fundamental and Applied Research Program (FLPP) funded by the Latvian Council of Science.
