Any dental materials applied to a human tooth inevitably contact thousands of natural tiny tubules in dentin connected to the dental pulp and exposed to the oral cavity due to the damaged enamel or receded gumline. Mimicking the environment on both sides of dentinal tubules is crucial for in vitro study of the function and safety of biomaterials, oral microbiome, and other properties of dentin. Following the concept of the tooth-on-the-chip device developed in Dr. Bertassoni’s group, we developed two glass-free, leak-proof microfluidic devices and their quality control procedures. The devices were manufactured from two plasma bonded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pieces, which are produced in either newly designed 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA), or silicon ion-etched mold. Dentinal tubule occlusion by calcium alginate gel and calcium citrate aqueous suspension was quantitatively measured. The possibility for an influenza virus and the BSA protein through dentinal tubules was assessed. Permeability of dentin was quantified by the penetration rate of a dye monitored by a new code for tracking pixel parameters in a real-time video.

Glass free microfluidic device for exploration of dentin properties

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.