Researchers have discovered that nanodiamonds, a byproduct of conventional mining and refining operations, could be used to promote bone growth and the durability of dental implants. Initial studies indicated that nanodiamonds are well tolerated, they said.
In collaboration with the NanoCarbon Research Institute in Japan, dental specialists and bioengineers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), found that nanodiamonds could be used to combat osteonecrosis, a severe bone disease that can also affect the maxilla and the mandible, reducing patients' quality of life significantly. Many report having difficulties eating and speaking, owing to restricted movement of the joint. In addition, when bone loss occurs next to a dental implant, osteonecrosis may lead to implant failure.
In such cases, additional costly and time-consuming procedures become necessary. Conventionally, a sponge is inserted through invasive surgery to administer proteins locally to promote bone regeneration. The new research, however, has found that using nanodiamonds to deliver these proteins is much more efficient. Their experiments demonstrated that nanodiamonds, which can be inserted noninvasively through injection or an oral rinse, bind rapidly to both bone morphogenetic protein and fibroblast growth factor. Moreover, the scientists found that the proteins were delivered more slowly through the unique surface of the diamonds, allowing the affected area to be treated for a longer period.
In such cases, additional costly and time-consuming procedures become necessary. Conventionally, a sponge is inserted through invasive surgery to administer proteins locally to promote bone regeneration. The new research, however, has found that using nanodiamonds to deliver these proteins is much more efficient. Their experiments demonstrated that nanodiamonds, which can be inserted noninvasively through injection or an oral rinse, bind rapidly to both bone morphogenetic protein and fibroblast growth factor. Moreover, the scientists found that the proteins were delivered more slowly through the unique surface of the diamonds, allowing the affected area to be treated for a longer period.
The results also showed that nanodiamonds could be used to address multiple challenges in drug delivery, regenerative medicine and other fields. They might hold important implications for the future of nanotechnology in dentistry and orthopedics, according to Dr. No-Hee Park, Dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry.
The study, titled "Multi-protein Delivery by Nanodiamonds Promotes Bone Formation," was published online on Sept. 17 in the Journal of Dental Research ahead of print.
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