Dental

Patient sample and rat studies suggest promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production with Feraheme ferumoxytol and hydrogen peroxide could help treat dental caries (tooth decay). In Streptococcus mutans biofilms cultured on enamel-like hydroxyapatite, Feraheme, which has intrinsic peroxidase activity, plus hydrogen peroxide increased levels of toxic ROS compared with no treatment, and decreased bacterial viability and increased degradation of the decay-promoting biofilm extracellular matrix (ECM) compared with either agent alone. In ex vivo human tooth enamel co-cultured with dental plaque biofilms from pediatric caries patients, Feraheme plus hydrogen peroxide decreased surface roughness, demineralized surface area and the size of bacterial cell aggregates on the enamel compared with vehicle. In a rat model of dental caries, topical Feraheme plus hydrogen peroxide decreased caries lesion severity scores on smooth and sulcal tooth surfaces compared with either agent alone. Next steps could include testing the therapy in combination with topical fluoride. ...