Boffins invent self-sticking dentures inspired by sucker cups on octopus tentacles
SCIENTISTS have invented self-sticking dentures — inspired by the powerful sucker cups on octopus tentacles.
And they believe the 3D-printed creations will see off the need for unpopular denture cements.
False teeth coming loose can be a big issue for the three million Brits who wear them — with many also saying that regular adhesives change the taste of food or can feel unpleasant.
Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, from King’s College London, began to consider alternatives in nature after peach skin got stuck to his palate.
He first looked at geckos’ feet, before turning his focus on octopus suckers.
He said: “An octopus needs to grip things . . . for survival.
“It grips rocks when it’s hiding.
“It grips prey when it’s hunting.
“It really needs to stick to things — just like dentures.”
His study has showed dentures with the octopus-inspired suckers have far better adhesion, without the need for glue.
They are now moving into human trials with the hope of bringing them to the commercial market.