Dr. Jeff Banas, professor and director of the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, has been awarded a subaward as part of a new NIH R03 grant led by Dr. Saulo Geraldeli at East Carolina University. The project, funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, explores an innovative approach to preventing one of the most common and costly issues in restorative dentistry: secondary caries. 

Dental fillings and restorations are a routine part of clinical care, but over time they can become susceptible to biofilm buildup—clusters of bacteria that adhere to surfaces and cause recurrent decay around restorations. This project addresses that problem head-on by testing a new material designed to fight biofilms at the source. 

Dr. Geraldeli’s team is studying the effects of incorporating a compound called reverse-amide 2-aminoimidazole (2-AI) into methacrylate-based resin materials (MBRM)—the same types of resin composites that dentists use every day. These materials are engineered not only to restore function and aesthetics to teeth but also to actively resist bacterial colonization. The key challenge is determining the optimal concentration of 2-AI such that mechanical strength of the composite is maintained while providing long-term antibacterial effects. 

Dr. Banas’ lab brings expertise in microbiology to the collaboration. His team will test how effectively these modified dental materials inhibit the growth of harmful, cavity-causing bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans. The goal is to confirm that the new material remains durable in the mouth while significantly reducing the risk of future decay. 

If successful, this research could lead to the development of next-generation restorative materials that improve long-term oral health outcomes for patients. For dental providers, the implications are equally promising: fewer restoration failures, reduced need for re-treatment, and better protection for high-risk patients.

Dr. Banas said, “We are excited to work together to bring the best of clinical science, microbiology, and materials engineering to address a longstanding challenge in clinical practice.”