Magnesium- and zinc-releasing dental materials to protect teeth from new decay
Official title: Microenvironmental characterization and manipulation to prevent secondary caries
Funded at Oregon State University · NIH-11369993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are testing new tooth fillings that slowly release Mg2+ and Zn2+ to keep the area around a filling healthier and prevent decay from coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $466,676 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE027999-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with existing dental restorations at risk of secondary caries and who would benefit from future restorative materials that support a healthier oral microbiome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without dental restorations or those not at risk for secondary caries may not benefit from this material-focused approach.
What this research studies
This project at Oregon State University is developing bioactive glass-containing dental composites that release beneficial minerals to steer the mouth’s bacteria toward a healthier balance. By using advanced measurement tools, researchers will tune how fast Mg2+ and Zn2+ are released and how this affects local pH and biofilm growth on and around restorations. The goal is to create materials that help the mouth stay in a healthier state over time, reducing the need for repeating fillings. The work combines materials science with microbiology to address a common dental problem directly at the restoration site.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the materials could lower the rate of recurrent decay around fillings and extend the life of dental restorations.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest Mg2+ and Zn2+ release can support a healthier oral microbiome, indicating potential for success with this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon State University
Corvallis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koley, Dipankar — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Koley, Dipankar
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.