2D-inorganic crystalline materials bring about a paradigm shift in the field of dental implant maintenance

Coined after the discovery of graphene in 2004, 2D crystalline materials are the thinnest material known to exist in the world. Their low dimensionality enables them to possess very useful and extremely interesting chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Consequently, 2D-materials have versatile functions and applications as well as having ushered breakthroughs into the biosensing and gene sequencing industry. More specifically, they present some commonly known characteristics that are due to their thinness. Their high surface areas are precious for various applications, such as in drug delivery systems that are dependent on surface interactions on a smaller scale. Moreover, their high surface area to volume ratios drastically improve the properties of nanocomposite hydrogels.

INViCARE seeks to introduce this breakthrough technology, specifically, a two-dimensional hydrogel into the field of implant maintenance. 20-50% of dental implants are compromised because of microbial infections. These develop from the accumulation of oral biofilms, which could spread the infection around the implant and lead to peri-implantitis. Costly surgical procedures are then required to restore the implant.  Consequently, implant maintenance is key to prevent such infections and complications.

 What are the problems with current methods?

Traditional methods, such as toothpastes, have not been specifically designed for implant maintenance. Thus, their compositions are not well suited for cleaning the latter. As a matter of fact, the surfactants and organic materials alter the properties of the implant materials.

INViCARE thus developed Neophylaxis, a product created after 7 years of research in Dr. Tamimi’s lab at McGill University. Neophylaxis is a 2-dimensional (2D) hydrogel that is composed of sodium, magnesium and potassium. Sodium ions induce a 2D formation in magnesium phosphate crystals which confer invaluable traits to the hydrogel. Indeed, it possesses great surface area properties, acting as a sponge to absorb the oral biofilms in the implants, without damaging the implant surfaces. It has also proven to be highly injectable, biocompatible and stable in the long term. Free from organic compounds and Fluoride, Neophylaxis has shown better performance than traditional methods in significantly reducing bacterial and organic compounds’ adhesion to the implant surface.

This product is thus a crucial breakthrough and presents a paradigm shift in the field of dental implant maintenance.

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INViCARE is a Montreal-based dental Startup that seeks to revolutionize the field of dental implant care and implantology in general by manufacturing Neophylaxis, a 2D-Inorganic hydrogel developed for dental implant maintenance.