Improving Fluoride for Cavity Prevention in Older Adults
Enhancing the effect of fluoride for root caries control in high-risk older adults (Resub)
This research aims to make fluoride treatments much more effective at preventing cavities on tooth roots for older adults who are at high risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11122178 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As people get older, maintaining good oral health can become more challenging, especially with conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, and medications that cause dry mouth. These factors can lead to more cavities on the exposed root surfaces of teeth, which affects overall health and quality of life. Current fluoride toothpastes offer only modest protection for root cavities. This project is developing a new approach using special fluoride nanoparticles to significantly boost fluoride's ability to protect tooth roots, aiming for better cavity control without changing the fluoride dose or safety.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future studies would be older adults, aged 21 and above, who are at high risk for root cavities, possibly due to systemic health conditions or medications causing dry mouth.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience root cavities or are not in the high-risk older adult demographic may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new therapy could provide a much more effective way to prevent root cavities, improving oral health and quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have performed: While fluoride has been used for decades, this specific approach using fluoride nanoparticles to enhance its effect for root caries control is described as a novel therapy.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tenuta, Livia Maria Andalo — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Tenuta, Livia Maria Andalo
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 below.