3D-Printed Teeth Can Kill 99% of Dental Bacteria (thestack.com)

An anonymous reader writes: A research group in the Netherlands has developed a new plastic resin that can destroy most dental bacteria when used for the creation of dental appliances via 3D-printing. The process involves embedding antimicrobial quaternary ammonium salts inside extant dental resin polymers. Since the salts are positively charged, these disrupt negatively-charged bacterial membranes. The process is also being mooted for use in the creation of knee arthroplasties, and in the manufacture of children's toys and food packaging.

Comments

Amm... printed Teeth?

[Anonymous Coward]

I think by the time you *need* printed teeth, the bacteria pretty much has done its thing.

Mooted: who knew?

[rmdingler]

I would suggest weighing the long range effects of a bactericidal compound versus the perceived benefits of some form of germ free existence.

The role(s) played by bacteria in the ecosystem that is a mammalian body are even now not completely understood...

and microorganisms show a valiant ability to evolve around attempts to exterminate them.