Voice-activated antibacterial piezoelectric composites for dental restorations

Recurrent caries is the leading cause of dental restoration failure, costing the U.S. over $5 billion annually. Enhancing the seal of dental materials bonded to hard tissues is critical for preventing recurrent caries, disease progression, and tooth loss. Eliminating bacteria at the restoration margins can prevent the biochemical degradation of these materials to deter seal damage and thus extending the clinical lifespan of restorations. We have developed a novel antibacterial composites and adhesives with piezoelectric properties. Piezoelectric biomaterials have proven antimicrobial effects. This innovative approach significantly improves upon current technologies by using a single filler that provides long-lasting antibacterial effects without antibiotic resistance issues. Sound or acoustic waves (such as the human voice) can stimulate piezo- adhesives to produce the necessary electrical charges to elicit antimicrobial effects that prevent bond degradation and extend the durability of dental restorations. In this study, we propose to investigate how the properties of the human voice (such as pitch, intensity in dB, duration, angulation) influence charge production and antimicrobial effects in restorations (aim 1). Additionally, this project will assess the degradation of the tooth-restoration interface under representative oral conditions and with piezo-adhesives stimulated by the human voice and mastication forces. This research will provide crucial insights into how smart adhesives can improve the durability of dental composite restorations. Project Number: 1R21DE034906-01A1 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) | Principal Investigator: Santiago Orrego | Institution: TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH, PHILADELPHIA, PA | Award Amount: $435,875 | Activity Code: R21 | Study Section: Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering Study Section[MTE] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11301763