Nature-Inspired Suction Cups Improve Denture Retention

UK: A team of scientists at King’s College London has introduced a novel approach to improving denture retention by drawing inspiration from an unlikely source: the suction cups of octopus tentacles. This groundbreaking research, reported by Will Peakin on the Scottish Dental Magazine website (https://www.sdmag.co.uk/), offers hope to millions of denture wearers worldwide who struggle with keeping their dentures securely in place.

The study addresses a pervasive challenge in dental care. Approximately 11% of the UK population relies on dentures, and globally, 350 million people live without natural teeth. Retention, or the ability of dentures to stay in place, remains a significant issue for users, who often resort to adhesive products that are both unhygienic and unpopular.

Bridging Nature and Technology

Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy, lead author of the research and a clinician at King’s Faculty of Dentistry, Oral, and Craniofacial Sciences, explained the inspiration behind the project: “I first had the idea to replicate sticky surfaces in nature while biting into a peach. I noticed how the furry skin stuck to the palate of my mouth and decided to investigate other sticky surfaces in nature. Octopus suckers seemed like the perfect place to start.”

Octopus suction cups adhere to slippery surfaces by creating negative pressure and a vacuum, enabling a secure grip. The research team theorized that replicating this mechanism could significantly improve the retention of dentures.

3D-Printed Dentures with Suction Technology

Using computer-aided design (CAD), the scientists developed 3D-printed models of upper and lower dentures equipped with tiny suction cups. When tested, these innovative dentures demonstrated double the retention capacity of conventional models. Importantly, the suction effect was designed to be strong enough to improve stability without preventing the user from removing the dentures when needed.

“This research bridges nature and technology to tackle a long-standing challenge for denture wearers,” Dr. Elsharkawy noted. “By mimicking the ingenious adhesive strategies found in octopus suction cups, we have developed a prototype that offers improved grip and comfort in even the most demanding oral environments.”

Chemical Enhancements for Additional Retention

Beyond the physical suction mechanism, the research team also explored chemical solutions to enhance denture retention. They coated plastic dentures with a thin layer of keratin—the protein found in human skin and hair—to create a chemical bond with the keratin in the mucosa lining of the mouth. This invisible coating not only improved grip but also maintained the aesthetic appearance of the dentures.

The combination of physical and chemical innovations in this study represents a significant step forward in dental prosthetics. The enhanced retention technology has the potential to improve comfort and quality of life for millions of denture users worldwide.

Looking Ahead

As the researchers continue to refine their prototype, the implications of this work could extend beyond dentures to other areas of medical and dental technology. “Our findings pave the way for a new generation of dentures that can transform the quality of life for millions worldwide,” Dr. Elsharkawy emphasized.

This interdisciplinary research underscores the potential of biomimicry in addressing real-world problems, offering an innovative solution to a long-standing challenge in oral healthcare. Further developments and clinical applications of this technology are eagerly anticipated.