Antibacterial dental filling ingredient to prevent decay around fillings
Official title: Addition of a Reverse Amide to Methacrylate-Based Dental Materials to Inhibit Microbial Biofilm Formation.
Funded at East Carolina University · NIH-11300205 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new ingredient added to adult resin fillings designed to stop harmful bacteria from building up around the filling and help prevent repairs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Carolina University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Greenville, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $151,926 |
| NIH project number | 5R03DE034488-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11300205 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) who have or will receive resin composite fillings, especially those who experience recurrent decay around fillings, would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Children, people without composite resin restorations, or those whose restoration failures are due to mechanical issues rather than bacterial decay are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a small antibacterial molecule (a reverse amide 2‑aminoimidazole) that can be built into the resin used for dental fillings. In the lab they chemically bond this molecule to methacrylate so it stays part of the filling instead of leaching out. Early laboratory tests show it can block Streptococcus mutans biofilms while preserving beneficial mouth bacteria. The aim is a filling material that reduces secondary caries without disrupting the normal oral microbiome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower the need to repair or replace fillings by preventing decay around restorations while keeping healthy oral bacteria intact.
How similar studies have gone: Other antimicrobial additives for dental materials have had mixed results, but early lab work with RA/2‑AI molecules is promising and represents a novel bonded approach.
Where this research is happening
-
East Carolina University
Greenville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geraldeli, Saulo — East Carolina University
- Study coordinator: Geraldeli, Saulo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.