Forth Bridge paint technology used to create dental treatment
The product has the potential to change preventive dentistry.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed a treatment to protect teeth from decay and acid erosion, harnessing the civil engineering technology used to create the paint for the Forth Bridge.
The flake glass technology used in the patented biomimetic dental coating, Varnish VLC, has been successfully used to protect tanks, vessels and pipelines from corrosion. It has also been used in the maintenance of steel bridges, including the Forth Bridge, providing up to 25 years of protection before requiring major maintenance.
Dr Saroash Shahid, Reader in Dental Biomaterials at Queen Mary and lead researcher on the project said: “It might sound unusual, but the challenges are similar; both teeth and bridges are exposed to harsh conditions, both suffer from corrosion, and both are difficult to protect. This project shows the power of looking outside of traditional fields for inspiration.”
This shows the power of looking outside of traditional fields for inspiration."
Dr Saroash Shahid
A six-month trial is underway to test the effectiveness of Varnish VLC in real-world conditions. Queen Mary is working with PSP Dental to bring the treatment to dentists in the UK and around the world.
Dr Shahid said: “We believe this product has the potential to change preventive dentistry, particularly for children.”