Federal Grant Award Summary

Temple University received a $435,875 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121) for research on voice-activated antibacterial piezoelectric composites for dental restorations. The award, effective January 16, 2026, through January 15, 2028, supports development and investigation of novel dental materials that leverage piezoelectric properties to generate antimicrobial effects when stimulated by acoustic waves, including human voice frequencies. The research addresses recurrent caries, the leading cause of dental restoration failure costing the U.S. healthcare system over $5 billion annually, by eliminating bacteria at restoration margins to prevent bond degradation and extend the clinical lifespan of dental restorations.

The project deliverables include investigation of how human voice properties—including pitch, intensity, duration, and angulation—influence charge production and antimicrobial effects in piezoelectric adhesive restorations (Aim 1), as well as assessment of tooth-restoration interface degradation under representative oral conditions with voice-stimulated and mastication-force-stimulated piezo-adhesives. This research will generate critical insights into smart adhesive technology that improves the durability and performance of dental composite restorations compared to conventional materials, potentially addressing a significant clinical need without introducing antibiotic resistance issues.