As the dental implants and prosthetics market continues to grow with advancements in dental technology, industrials company PPK Group (ASX: PPK) is taking their expertise in boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) and applying it to the lucrative dental products market.

The new venture will be 3D Dental Technology Limited with the company ownership comprising of PPK Group (45%), Dr David Dunn (45%) and Deakin (10%). Between the three parties 3D Dental Tech has the experience of PPK’s experience in nanocomposites, Deakin’s research and development and Dunn’s 25 years of clinical experience as an industry leader in aesthetic dentistry.

“The utilization of BNNT and the emergence of 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is a new and exciting area for significant advancement of ceramic prosthetics in Dentistry,” said Dr Dunn.

“The opportunity exists for high strength, aesthetic ceramic materials for dental applications across a broad spectrum of uses. This BNNT Application project has the potential to be the “holy grail” of ceramic materials with enhanced mechanical and optical properties providing superior longevity and ideally improved aesthetic properties.

“Successful use of these nanocomposites and potentially with 3D printing fabrication will reduce complexity, costs and significantly reduce the potential for failure. The application of these new materials will be relevant in every Dental practice and Dental laboratory worldwide.”

While the venture into the dental prosthetics market which was valued at USD $4.6 billion in 2019, is a new one for PPK, they have a 20 year exclusive license over BNNT technology which is stronger than metal or carbon fibre, extremely flexible and chemically stable. At present, the technology is primarily applied to mining equipment and ballistics but PPK is confident that its unique properties give it high potential to be infused into a broad range of dental applications.

Through the new venture, 3D Dental Technology will develop new nanocomposites for resins which will incorporate BNNT into the molecular mix for the production of veneers, crowns and bridges which currently have an unacceptably high failure rate for ceramic composites.

PPK and Deakin are currently also in collaboration for other BNNT projects through LiS Energy where PPK holds a 58% interest in the Lithium-Sulpher battery production business and Craig Ballistics which PPK holds a 45% interest.