New dental adhesives that use light to improve bonding strength
Official title: Light-propelled dental adhesives with enhanced bonding capability
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10741660 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing new dental glues that use light to stick better to your teeth, which could help make your fillings and crowns last longer and look nicer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 12, 2023 |
| Project end | July 11, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $429,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE032135-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10741660 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals requiring dental restorations, particularly those seeking aesthetic composite options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require dental restorations or have contraindications for adhesive materials may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative dental adhesives that utilize light to enhance their bonding capabilities to tooth structures. By introducing light-responsive additives, the adhesives can better penetrate and bond to dentin, which is crucial for the longevity of dental restorations. The approach aims to overcome the challenges of traditional adhesives that often fail due to weak bonding layers. Patients can expect that these new adhesives may lead to more durable and aesthetically pleasing dental restorations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to longer-lasting dental restorations, reducing the need for replacements and improving overall dental health.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of light-responsive materials in dental applications is a novel approach, similar strategies in other fields have shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nair, Devatha P. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Nair, Devatha P.
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.