Three glass coatings developed by the Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN) in Spain can be used to control peri-implant infection and subsequent disease.
During a peri-implant disease induction model carried out in 5 dogs, the application of bioactive glass on implantable medical devices inhibited the formation of surface biofilms both in vitro and in vivo. One of the glasses, G3, showed an especially remarkable ability to prevent bacterial colonization and slow down disease progression, according to CINN.
The glass coatings also could be used with other medical implants such as joint replacements, metal heart valves, and catheters, which all face the risk of bacterial colonization. In fact, bacterial colonization is the main cause of total knee arthroplasty failure and the third leading cause of total hip replacement failure, CINN says.
The researchers envision uses beyond medicine as well. For example, the coatings could be used in air conditioning devices to prevent Legionella growth, which causes epidemic outbreaks and even death.
CINN is a joint center of the Spanish Council of Scientific Research, the University of Oviedo, and the Principality of Asturias. Its researchers worked with the Institute of Advanced Oral Surgery of Madrid and the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery Jesús Usón in developing the bioactive glass. PlosOne published their study.
Related Articles
Necessity of Antibiotics After Implants Questioned
Biomarkers Tallied for Peri-Implant Disease Potential
Flossing May Cause Peri-Implant Disease
