Biological effects of low frequency ultrasound on bone and tooth cells

Man, Jennifer Sui-Sum (2011). Biological effects of low frequency ultrasound on bone and tooth cells. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Little is known about the biological effects of ultrasound on dental-derived cells and whether ultrasound may be used as a therapeutic tool in dental care. This thesis has investigated the functional responses of in vitro osteoblast and odontoblast model cell lines to low frequency ultrasound as a potential tool for dental tissue repair. Two methods for ultrasound delivery were used to stimulate cells in vitro; a dental ultrasonic scaler (EMS) capable of emitting ultrasound at a frequency of 30kHz; and the DuoSon (SRA developments) therapeutic ultrasound exposure system, which allowed the comparison of kHz, MHz and a combined frequency ultrasound. Odontoblast-like cells positively responded to all ultrasound frequencies applied and can increase VEGF expression, increase cell number and increase mineral deposition by enhancing differentiation when compared with sham-treated control. Furthermore, enhanced wound healing by increased cell migration and cell proliferation was demonstrated in ultrasound-stimulated osteoblast-like cells. Ultrasound induced a dose-dependent response in β-catenin staining in both odontoblast and osteoblast model cell lines, which implicates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a possible mechanism for intracellular ultrasound transduction. Taken together, it is tempting to speculate that direct low frequency ultrasound stimulation of the dentine-pulp complex or alveolar bone may be able to initiate or enhance regenerative events

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):