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Published on: November 9, 2014
Microplastics released from dental materials induce oral inflammatory bone resorption and apoptosis via mitochondrial
Minhui Yao1, Huiting Guo2, Yuchen Fang1
1Department of General Dentistry, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Research, Prevention and Treatment for Oral Diseases, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China.
Microplastics (MPs) from dental materials pose oral health risks. These pollutants can cause inflammation and bone loss, highlighting the need for safer dental materials.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Materials Science
- Oral Biology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants linked to various systemic diseases.
- The oral cavity is a key entry point for MPs, with potential risks to oral and systemic health.
- Dental materials may contribute to MP generation, but their impact remains under-assessed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate MP sources and risks in dental clinics.
- To establish the link between MPs and oral inflammatory disorders.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of MP-induced oral pathology.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of MPs in dental clinics versus other environments.
- In vitro toxicity assessment of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) MPs on oral cells.
- Mechanistic studies involving apoptosis, autophagy, and signaling pathways (Notch, JAK-STAT).
- In vivo mouse models to evaluate periodontal responses to MPs.
Main Results:
- Dental materials generate significantly higher MP levels in clinics than outdoor/office areas.
- PMMA MPs exhibited toxicity to oral keratinocytes, stem cells, and macrophages.
- MPs induced mitochondrial stress, autophagy, and activated Notch and JAK-STAT pathways.
- Chronic MP exposure in mice caused periodontal inflammation and bone resorption.
Conclusions:
- Common dental materials are a source of MPs in clinical settings.
- MPs from dental sources pose significant risks to oral tissues and potentially systemic health.
- This study underscores the need for biocompatible and sustainable dental materials.
