Polyester, the unbreathable synthetic fabric often considered cheap and tacky in most fashion circles, may finally have its moment in dentistry. Dental implants made from polyester dental resins may be a reality in the future, according to an article published in Mint.com.
Though in the early stages, the textiles ministry in India in conjunction with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Indian Institutes of Technology are researching how dental resins made from polyester could help fabricate dental implants, offering an inexpensive alternative to conventional implants.
The dental implant market is growing owing to two factors: one, an increased demand for cosmetic dentistry; and two, advancements in dental implant technology. Worldwide, the market for dental implants was estimated at $9.27 billion in 2022 and $10.09 billion in 2023, according to a World Health Organization report. The forecasted compound annual growth rate of implants is 8.95%, to reach upward of $18.42 billion by 2030.
A prototype for this research project, which is part of the Indian government's technical textiles mission and falls under the medical textiles category, has not yet been developed. Testing, including clinical trials on humans, is estimated to be at least five years away, according to the story.
Implants made from polyester resins offer a compelling, less expensive alternative to current dental implants, which are fabricated using titanium and various alloys, gold alloys, stainless steel, and alloys comprising cobalt-chromium and nickel-chromium. This could be especially helpful for patients in developing countries.
However, Dr. Amit Kumar Sharma, head of the dental department at NIMS Dental College and Hospital in Jaipur, India, said in the story that he was skeptical about the feasibility of a dental implant made entirely of fabric-based material. To improve strength and durability, implants would likely need to be combined with a metal, according to the story.
