This document serves as an introduction to the scientific proof and reasoning behind the concepts of Elemental’s hydroplastic antibacterial (bacteriostatic) dental materials.
You can either navigate the overview below, or scroll down to read the full text.
The most unique technology in our arsenal is our antibacterial polymer. We would recommend starting with reading this resource as it gives a comprehensive description of the different models used by scientists to study bacterial adhesion.
Out of the 4 mechanisms described, our technology is built on the electrostatic repulsion principle: we distribute zinc ions throughout a material to create an ionic charge that makes adhesion by bacteria to a substrate incredibly difficult for them.
As described, our technology functionalises the polymer surface by modifying the physical property of the material, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and biofilm, but also viruses and moulds. No attachment means no proliferation and no colonization.
The statistical distribution of the zinc ions (Zn2+) in the polymers provides an electrostatic charge that result in an energy barrier on the surface explained by the DLVO-theory, describing the balance between two forces, electrostatic repulsion and van der Waals attraction.
On the right: biofilm formation. On the left: zinc ion infused polymers prevent biofilm formation due to electrostatic repulsion.
<aside> 📄 Physico-chemistry of initial microbial adhesive interactions – its mechanisms and methods for study
</aside>
Lab report graph showing the antimicrobial (bacteriostatic) effectiveness on gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.
Clinicians using Elemental have observed faster and better healing in surgical sites covered by Elemental (from palatal grafts to extraction sockets) then they would normally expect in the respective cases.
The following literature discusses the contributions of zinc within the wound repair processes with an emphasis on platelet cells and haemostasis, inflammation and host defence, granulation and re-epithelization, ECM remodelling via regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and its association with tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins in membrane repair and wound healing.
<aside> 📄 Zinc in Wound Healing Modulation
</aside>
<aside> 📄 Zinc in wound healing: theoretical, experimental, and clinical aspects
</aside>
A selection of Elemental cases can be consulted on the following link:
<aside> 📄 Elemental Case Portfolio
</aside>
<aside> 📄 Clinical Report: Using Elemental Oral Surgical Granulate as a Novel Socket Barrier Concept
</aside>
<aside> 📄 Article: Elemental wound barrier as an Adjunct to Soft Tissue Healing
</aside>
The fact our technology is zinc-based is not only helpful for electrostatic repulsion of oral bacteria but also has other mechanisms of action that are relevant for oral health indications. This systematic review touches upon quite some different ways zinc has been proven to have an inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity.
<aside> 📄 A systematic review on antibacterial activity of zinc against Streptococcus mutans
</aside>
Following that, we’d like to refer you to our patents (1 about the polymers in general, 1 focusing more on implantable medical devices) as they could serve as an introduction as to how our antibacterial polymers are actually made.
It is important to note that not all the types of zinc described in the patent are used, but some of them have been included for completeness and as a so-called “smoke-screen” for competitors.
The latter is a common practice in a sound intellectual property strategy.
<aside> 📄 Patent: Antibacterial polymers and method for obtaining the same
</aside>
<aside> 📄 Patent: Antibacterial polymeric material and orthopaedic prosthetic device obtained therefrom
</aside>
On top of that, we have explicit biological safety sheets that confirm our technology is 100% biocompatible, non-toxic, and cleared to be used in medical applications.
<aside> 📄 Permanent medical implant safety compliance confirmed
</aside>
