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

Posted by samzenpus on from the cleanest-mouth dept.

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.

1 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Mooted: who knew? by Scottingham · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't think these teeth would kill off all the bacteria in the mouth. It would just prevent them from adhering to the tooth itself to cause trouble.