A University of Saskatchewan (USask) dentistry research team has proved the usefulness of a method of simulating tooth decay that can allow researchers to test new treatment options without a large expense.
“Tooth decay places an immense burden on Canadian society, 14 to 17 billion per year is spent on dental caries-related issue; therefore, the development of alternative treatment options for tooth decay are urgently needed,” said Dr. Walter Siqueira (DDS, PhD), professor and associate dean academic at the USask College of Dentistry.
The research team used a human saliva-based dental biofilm to simulate the formation of dental plaque and cavities. A dental biofilm is a community of microbes that is grown to mimic the bacterial environment of the mouth.
