The results of the study are published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
Oral mucosal wounds are a common consequence of dental and surgical procedures. Healing of such wounds can be long and painful, and in some cases scarring occurs, causing cosmetic and physiological discomfort.
Earlier, scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University, together with colleagues from Russian universities, developed import substituting antibacterial polymer dressings for regeneration of oral mucosa.
Together with employees of SibGMU, TPU scientists conducted a study comparing two types of polymer membranes: a foreign membrane made of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), which is recognized worldwide as the "gold standard" in dentistry, and a domestic membrane made of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with tetrafluoroethylene, which has piezoelectric properties.
"Despite the fact that both types of membranes are very similar in their structure and physical and chemical properties, piezoelectric membranes are more effective in closing oral mucosal defects," Evgeny Bolbasov, a senior researcher at TPU Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences, told RIA Novosti.
He added that the Teflon (dielectric) membrane protects the wound from pathogenic bacteria, thereby providing the necessary homeostasis. Besides, the piezoelectric membrane not only protects the wound from pathogens, but also promotes tissue regeneration, which accelerates the healing process.
According to the authors of the article, the study is of great practical importance, as it can help patients get rid of cosmetic and physiological discomfort associated with scars on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Another important factor is that the piezoelectric membranes are made of domestically produced polymers, and this method of manufacturing is simple and relatively inexpensive.
"Under high voltage, the polymer solution is sprayed onto a rotating drum, and the resulting membrane acquires the structure of interwoven fibers, which can be compared to a multilayer bandage," explains Evgeny Bolbasov.
The technology developed at TPU, as the scientists note, is quite easy to scale up and establish industrial production of materials with subsequent implementation in clinical practice.
Currently, TPU researchers are studying the effectiveness of composite piezoelectric membranes, where the composition, in addition to the copolymer, includes other polymers and antimicrobial agents that can withstand the aggressive bacteriological environment of the oral cavity.
The project was completed under a grant from the Russian Science Foundation.