Healthy Teeth

The Healthy Teeth project aims to provide new treatments for periodontitis by developing innovative materials, injectable fluids, 3D-printed implants and targeted repair products to reduce inflammation and restore lasting oral health. 

Project objectives:

Periodontitis is caused by ‘bad’ bacteria that form a biofilm at the interface between the teeth and gums. This film is difficult to remove simply by brushing. These bacteria secrete substances that attack the gums, causing local inflammation and partial loss of the ‘tooth-gum’ attachment.

To effectively treat periodontitis, the Healthy Teeth Project will attack 3 targets: bad bacteria, gum inflammation and bone loss.  

• What needs does this project address?

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, affecting patients’ quality of life. Current treatments do not completely eliminate the germs and bacteria responsible, which encourages the disease to persist.

The products available today have certain limitations, including a high risk of premature expulsion at the site of action. This is due to a lack of adhesion of the materials used and a mismatch between the size and shape of the devices and the specific characteristics of each periodontal pocket, which vary from patient to patient.

• Periodontitis: a public health challenge in the France-Wallonia-Flanders region and well beyond

Periodontitis is a widespread disease and a major health problem in the FWVL area, where it is estimated that more than 1.5 million people suffer from severe periodontitis. The associated direct and indirect costs exceed €4 billion. It is therefore necessary to develop innovative technologies to improve the quality of life of patients while reducing the costs associated with this disease.

This problem transcends regional boundaries: according to the WHO, it affects 150 million European citizens and almost 1 billion people worldwide. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and has serious consequences for the quality of life of patients, especially the elderly (social exclusion, depression, loss of self-confidence). The impact of this disease is real and goes beyond the immediate consequences of discomfort, pain and tooth loss.

Start date : October 1st, 2024 

Duration : 4 years

Budget : €2.8m