Fri. Jul 25th, 2025

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking solution to help dentures stick more effectively, drawing inspiration from an unlikely source: octopus tentacles.

Dentures slipping out of place is a surprisingly common issue, affecting 1 in 10 users. Many resort to adhesives or cements, which are often considered unhygienic, unpleasant, and disruptive to the taste of food. But researchers at Kingโ€™s College London (KCL) may have discovered an innovative alternative by mimicking the suction cups found on octopus tentacles.

Octopus suction cups use a negative pressure vacuum to adhere firmly to surfaces, even underwater. Inspired by this natural mechanism, the KCL team designed tiny suction cups into 3D-printed dentures, enabling them to securely attach to the soft tissues in the mouth.

Initial tests show these new dentures have double the retention of standard models, providing a secure fit while remaining easy to remove when necessary.

โ€œHaving worked with denture wearers for several years, I wanted to improve their experience,โ€ said Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy, lead author and researcher from the KCL Faculty of Dentistry, Oral, and Craniofacial Sciences. โ€œOctopus suckers seemed like the perfect place to start.โ€

Dr. Elsharkawy got the idea from an everyday experience: โ€œI first thought of replicating sticky surfaces in nature while biting into a peach. The furry skin stuck to the roof of my mouth, prompting me to explore similar mechanisms in nature.โ€

The result was a prototype that combines the adhesive strength of octopus suckers with cutting-edge manufacturing techniques. According to Dr. Eda Dzinovic, a dental materials researcher on the project, the innovation showcases the power of biomimicryโ€”drawing engineering solutions from natureโ€™s designs.

โ€œItโ€™s inspiring to see how insights from nature, paired with advanced manufacturing, can lead to innovations that improve functionality and patient satisfaction,โ€ said Dr. Dzinovic. โ€œContributing to this project has been an incredible opportunity to push the boundaries of dental material science.โ€

This breakthrough highlights how biomimicry can address real-world challenges, offering a promising solution for millions of denture wearers worldwide.

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