A new invention from Norway helps the body generate new bone and could be used to treat patients with loose teeth or mandibles damaged by cancer, infections or accidents.

Ståle Petter Lyngstadaas and Håvard Jostein Haugen, the Norwegian inventors of bone scaffolding Credit: Yngve Vogt

Members of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Oslo have created artificial, foam-rubber-shaped 'scaffolding' that aids the body in repairing itself. The material is made from water and ceramic powder poured through ultrapure foam rubber designed to look like trabecular bone then heated until it ligates into one solid structure.

Using the new method, dentists will be able to insert artificial scaffolding between bone fragments, determining where new bone tissue will grow.

Research Dean Ståle Petter Lyngstadaas said: 'The artificial scaffolding is as strong as real bone and yet porous enough for bone tissue and blood vessels to grow into it and work as a reinforcement for the new bone'.

With major defects, stem cells can be taken from the patient and inserted into the scaffolding, causing the process to accelerate. The surrounding bone tissue must be healthy with an ample blood supply to the surgery site.

The Norwegian dentists have tested the new method successfully on rabbits, pigs and dogs. In 2014 they hope to undertake clinical studies on patients with periodontitis and damage to the mandibular bone. They also hope to attract the interest of orthopaedists.

For further details visit www.apollon.uio.no/english/articles/2014/dentistry.html