Microfabrication-based engineering of biomimetic dentin-like constructs to simulate dental aging

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Research
• Microfabrication

Background:

• Human dentin's microarchitecture supports microbial adhesion and oral biofilm formation, crucial in dental caries.
• Existing in vitro dentin models lack micro- and nanoscale surface architecture simulation.
• Root caries in the elderly highlights the need for better in vitro models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel in vitro microfabricated biomimetic dentin surface.
• To simulate the complex micro- and nanoscale surface architecture of exposed dentin.
• To create a platform for studying oral microbial adhesion and biofilm formation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized soft lithography microfabrication and biomaterial science.
• Constructed micropitted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates functionalized with mineralized type-I collagen.
• Simulated dentin matrix aging using methylglyoxal (MGO) and analyzed with AFM, elemental analysis, and electron microscopy.

Main Results:

• Biomimetic constructs exhibited biologically relevant nanomechanical properties via AFM force-mapping.
• Mineralization was primarily composed of hydroxyapatite.
• Dual-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans showed specific morphologies on the model.

Conclusions:

• The novel biomimetic dentin model accurately simulates dentin's microarchitecture.
• The model is suitable for controlled in vitro studies of early oral biofilm formation.
• This platform can advance research in oral biofilm formation and dentin-biomaterial bonding without human or animal samples.