Great anticipation for a dental health experience in space

Oral health experiment partially developed on the International Space Station (IS, for its English acronym) is about to publish its results, after compilation on the floor.

It is the first dental study to be performed in zero gravity, and sponsored by the National Laboratory of the International Space Station in the United States, in collaboration with NASA and Colgate Palmolive.

In summary, engineers at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas designed new 3D-printed microfluidic pump devices that operate automatically and shipped to the International Space Station on June 3 in 25 kits that include saliva and bacteria collected from 30 patients from the university’s dental clinic.

It’s bacteria found in a healthy oral environment and other causes of tooth decay and gum disease.

Once in orbit, the researchers will grow oral bacteria on 5mm hydroxyapatite wafers in pumping devices at 37°C, typical human body temperature, and in mouth-like conditions.

“There are many excellent products for oral hygiene. But if you consider long-term space travel, there is no guarantee that Earth methods like dental composite bonding will work in zero gravity,” said project collaborator Professor Jeffrey Ebersole, associate dean for research in the College of Science, at Press release. UNLV Dentistry.

The kits have already been returned to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and researchers are examining the effects of a microgravity environment on oral bacteria and the efficacy of bacteria-fighting agents found in Colgate’s oral health products. – Palmolive against the metabolism of nutrients and the formation of biofilms in space.

The data from bacteria grown aboard the space station will be compared to data from similar bacteria grown in the soil.

Abigail Brewer

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