Kilohertz ultrasound as a potential therapy for dental repair

Patel, Upen Sachin (2016). Kilohertz ultrasound as a potential therapy for dental repair. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Biological effects are known to occur with ultrasound energy at kilohertz frequencies. This has led to research into its use as a non-invasive tool for tissue healing and repair. The aim of this research is to investigate the in vitro application of kilohertz ultrasound and to measure the biological responses using models of dental pulp cells which play an important role in dental repair. Ultrasound emitted from a longwave therapy instrument (DuoSon, SRA Developments Ltd) was characterised and measured identifying the range and intensity of the field. These measurements, coupled with biological data, identified the difficulties when conducting research with kilohertz ultrasound in vitro and indicated that the use of multi-well culture plates is not appropriate when investigating the effects of kilohertz ultrasound in cell culture. An improved method for in vitro kilohertz ultrasound application was devised enabling the investigation of non-thermal ultrasound effects on primary human dental cells. Cell proliferation, viability and gene expression, including the dental-related and biomechanically-responsive gene, dentine matrix protein-1, responded in a dose-dependent manner with respect to the duration of ultrasound application. These findings highlight the complexity of the biophysical interaction of kilohertz ultrasound with cells and demonstrate the need for further clarification of specific ultrasound settings for optimal therapeutic application. This study has demonstrated a positive effect of kilohertz ultrasound on human dental pulp cells and has identified methods to improve in vitro cell culture models to capture robust data to develop a novel therapy for dental repair.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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