The immune system and man-made materials work together in a big way to help heal broken bones. Calcium phosphate (CaP) materials, like hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate, are often used as bone replacements. They are good at helping new bone grow, but scientists are still figuring out how to make them even better. One big problem is that these materials don't...
The human body is a remarkable machine, but sometimes it needs a little help to fix itself. This is especially true when it comes to bones that just won't heal properly. Doctors have been working on a new way to fix these tricky breaks. They've created a special mix using stuff from the patient's own body. This mix includes bone marrow, small pieces of bone, plasma f...
The lower front part of the jaw can be a tricky spot for bone building. Usually, doctors use a special kind of membrane to help the bone grow. This membrane is held in place with tiny screws. But there's a catch: these screws need big cuts to put in and take out. This can be a problem for both the doctor and the patient. The process goes like this: a membrane is use...
Bone repair is a tricky business, especially when there's a big gap to fill. Scientists have been looking for better ways to help bones grow back. One interesting find is lithium-doped calcium silicate (LiCS) cement. This cement is special because it can boost bone regeneration and tweak the body's immune response. First, let's talk about the cement itself. Research...
Imagine you're missing a tooth and the bone around that area needs help to grow back. Would you rather have a membrane made of gelatin and polylactic acid (GT/PLA) or one called Guidor®? This experiment involved 32 people who needed bone regrowth after losing a tooth. They were split into two groups: one got the GT/PLA membrane, the other got the Guidor® one. Both me...
Did you know that your bones can benefit from electrical stimulation? Scientists have discovered a cool way to help bones regrow using a material called piezoelectric hydrogel. This hydrogel contains tiny particles called BaTiO3 nanoparticles, which create electric signals. When these signals interact with a type of cell in your body called macrophages, they can chan...
Oral bone tissue loss is a big problem. It can happen due to conditions like osteoporosis, tooth removal, or even being overweight. Traditional fixes have issues like hurting the donor site or causing inflammation. Now, scientists are exploring new materials that mimic natural bone. One standout is insulin, a hormone known for controlling blood sugar. But it also hel...
Diabetes can lead to weak bones, a problem known as diabetic osteoporosis. High blood sugar messes with bone growth, making bones fragile. Scientists have been trying to find better treatments. One interesting approach uses tiny pieces of RNA, called small-activating RNA (saRNA), to fix the issue. However, RNA can break down easily and doesn't get into cells well. T...
Imagine losing a tooth due to injury or disease. It's not just about the tooth; the bone underneath, called alveolar bone, also gets damaged. This bone is crucial for your oral functions and facial looks. While bone grafts and substitutes help, they're not perfect. Enter hydrogels, promising materials that could boost bone regrowth and make repairs easier. These hyd...
Big bone losses are tricky to fix, and getting your own bone for a graft isn't always easy. That's where 3D printing comes in. Scientists recently created a special bone-like material using a type of polymer called poly(trimethylene carbonate) or PTMC. They mixed it with tiny bits of a bone-building mineral called strontium-substituted nanohydroxyapatite (SrHA). This...