The Finnish oral health innovation, Lumoral, has sparked significant interest in the academic community, with several new studies launching in recent months. Mikko Kylmänen, Research Manager at Koite Health Oy, provides updates on Lumoral's latest clinical research.

Currently, there are 11 ongoing clinical studies across Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and Lithuania investigating the Lumoral method. Five of these are funded by Koite Health Ltd, while the rest are conducted by independent academic research teams. The studies cover topics such as periodontitis, peri-implantitis, orthodontics, oral lichen planus, and the prevention of oral diseases in youth.

In 2024, two new academic research teams will start their Lumoral studies. One study will examine the impact of improved oral hygiene on managing and preventing periodontitis in patients with diabetes. Another study will focus on enhancing oral hygiene for elderly individuals living at home or receiving home care.

In Italy, two research groups are advancing their Lumoral studies: The University of Turin is investigating the prevention of oral mucositis symptoms caused by radiation therapy, and Sapienza University in Rome is studying methods to alleviate early symptoms of peri-implantitis. Additionally, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals in Chennai, India, is planning to start a Lumoral study in 2024 focused on treating oral mucositis related to cancer therapies.

Research on oral mucositis is particularly significant, as no existing medication has successfully prevented its development. Mucositis, an inflammation of the oral mucosa associated with cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, causes severe pain, redness, and swelling, which can negatively impact the success of cancer treatment. Recent findings suggest that light-activated antibacterial therapy may be an effective way to manage this condition.

Recent Lumoral Studies Initiated in Early 2024:

1. HEALTHIER (Sweden): This study evaluates Lumoral's effectiveness in treating peri-implantitis and is conducted at the private Södertandläkarna clinic in Stockholm, Sweden, with 80 participants.
2. LumOsteo: This research examines Lumoral's role in preventing complications related to implant placement. It is being conducted at the Hammaslääkärit Eteläranta 10 clinic in Helsinki, Finland, with 40 participants.
3. Tartu University Plaque Study (Estonia): This crossover study compares two different oral hygiene methods and their effects on oral health. It is taking place at Tartu University in Estonia, where participants will alternate between using Lumoral and not using it to provide comparative results.

The HEALTHIER and LumOsteo studies are in their early stages, and precise timelines for results depend on factors such as patient recruitment. However, results from the Tartu plaque study are expected by the end of the year.

Summary of Previous Research Findings:

• Pilot Study on Peri-Implantitis (2022): Showed promising results in treating implant-related inflammations with Lumoral, including significant reductions in plaque and gum bleeding without side effects.
• Case Report on Periodontitis (2022): Demonstrated that Lumoral's antibacterial light treatment effectively eliminated harmful oral bacteria and improved severe periodontal disease outcomes.
• Clinical Randomized Study on Periodontitis (2022): Indicated significant improvements in periodontitis treatment outcomes when Lumoral was added to daily care.
• Clinical Randomized Study on Peri-Implantitis (2022): Observed reduced plaque, bleeding, and gum pocket sizes in Lumoral users compared to controls.
• Randomized Study on Oral Hygiene in Elderly Care (2023): Found that light-activated Lumoral treatment improved oral health and moisture in elderly individuals residing in 24-hour care facilities.
• Plaque Study in Healthy Adults (2023): Revealed that using Lumoral twice a week significantly reduced biofilm compared to a control group.

Innovation in Focus:

The ongoing and completed studies highlight Lumoral's versatile applications in improving oral health across various demographics and conditions. Mikko Kylmänen emphasizes that Lumoral's research opens new opportunities in oral care development. The company is proud to advance health and well-being through innovative solutions and looks forward to potential future applications of Lumoral.

For more information on Lumoral's research and effects, visit www.lumoralpro.com.

Finnish health tech group Koite Health – named one of Europe’s hottest startup companies in 2022 – is proud to join the Expodental Meeting event in Rimini, Italy, on 18— 20 May 2023. Together Koite Health and Megagen Italia will present the Lumoral-method to the Italian market. Lumoral is an innovative technology designed to enhance oral home care for the prevention and treatment of gum diseases and dental caries.

Koite Health recently signed a distribution accord with Megagen Italia – a company, which markets cutting-edge dental implant systems and advanced surgical devices. As a kickoff to the new collaboration, both companies will be present at the Expodental Meeting.

The global dental implants market is flourishing because of a growing prevalence of dental diseases and tooth loss, an aging population, and the rapid adoption of technology advancements and digital technologies, such as computer-aided design and 3D printing, in dental implant materials and design. In Italy, dental implants are also very common.

According to Mr. Federico Annoni from Megagen Italia, the implant market is constantly growing in Italy due to the rapidly aging population and because many people neglect their oral health. This contributes to the loss of natural teeth. Thus, the use of implants is necessary.

Oral home care is very important for the health of dental implants, he adds. Proper oral hygiene combined with regular use of Lumoral could be decisive in preventing periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

Megagen will participate at the Expodental Meeting with two stands – one exclusively dedicated to Megagen products (A3 - Stand 30) and another devoted solely to Lumoral (C3 - Stand 187) where specialists from both Megagen Italia and Koite Health will be present.

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Facts: Global Dental Implants Market

• 50 million implants have been inserted globally so far, while 10 million new implants are being inserted in patients' mouths each year. Maintaining the health of implants is crucial.

• Peri-implantitis is a serious gum disease that impacts the health of implants and can lead to loss of them, if left untreated. Despite impressive success rates, one implant is still lost every four minutes, which translates into 140,000 cases per year.

• Around 50% of implant patients will develop peri-implant mucositis over time. Approximately one-third of all patients will develop clinically manifested peri-implantitis.

(Source: Dentognostics)

Finnish health technology company Koite Health has signed a distribution accord with Megagen Italia, which markets cutting-edge dental implant systems and advanced surgical devices. As a kickoff to the new collaboration, both companies will be present with a joint stand at the upcoming Expodental Meeting event in Rimini, Italy, on 18— 20 May 2023.

The global dental implants market is flourishing because of a growing prevalence of dental diseases and tooth loss, an aging population, and the rapid adoption of technology advancements and digital technologies, such as computer-aided design and 3D printing, in dental implant materials and design.

In Italy, dental implants are also very common. We are talking about over 2.5 million Italians yearly who resort to fixed prostheses. 

According to Mr. Federico Annoni from Megagen Italia, the implant market is constantly growing in Italy due to the rapidly aging population and because many people neglect their oral health. This contributes to the loss of natural teeth. Thus, the use of implants is necessary. 

Oral home care is very important for the health of dental implants. Proper oral hygiene combined with regular use of Lumoral could be decisive in preventing periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

Megagen sees Koite Heath as a great partner with its Lumoral teeth cleaning method since it brings innovation in oral hygiene and prevention of oral infections. This collaboration also brings in implant patients more awareness of oral health, says Annoni.

Lumoral brings many benefits to implant patients: it helps sustain oral bacterial diversity while reducing plaque bacteria, it reduces gingivitis and plaque and tartar formation, and treats and prevents periodontitis and peri-implantitis efficiently.

– We believe that it is an excellent idea that dentists would offer a Lumoral device to all their implant patients to help prevent peri-implantitis and help keep the implants healthy.

Megagen will participate at the upcoming Expodental Meeting event in Rimini, Italy, with two stands – one exclusively dedicated to Megagen products and another devoted solely to Lumoral where two of your specialists will be present, Annoni says.

Everyone could use Lumoral according to their needs, he adds. The device is easy to use regularly, and the method helps maintain better oral hygiene for those who suffer from serious infections such as peri-implantitis and periodontitis and those who do not suffer from them but want only to improve their oral health.

– We believe that Lumoral could be the next “big thing” in the oral health care market that will help boost the oral health of Italian people and, at the same time, help save public health care costs, Annoni concludes.

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Facts: Global Dental Implants Market 

Dental implants are an effective solution to fill any gaps or spaces within the mouth caused by missing or damaged teeth. Dental implants are metal devices surgically implanted into the jawbone below the gums to support artificial teeth. The process by which these implants fuse with the bone is called osseointegration, and they resemble screw-shaped prosthetic tooth roots. Once the dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, they fuse with the natural bone to create a sturdy foundation for one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. An abutment is attached to the dental implant to hold and support the crowns. Crowns can be customized to fit the shape and contour of natural teeth for a comfortable fit within the mouth.

Developed countries have more dental implant users, primarily due to their better resources, higher per capita income, a more significant concern for aesthetics, and heightened awareness. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to its increasing economic stability and disposable income, as well as its dense population burdened by a growing senior population.

50 million implants have been inserted globally so far, while 10 million new implants are being inserted in patients' mouths each year. Maintaining the health of implants is crucial. 

Peri-implantitis is a serious gum disease that impacts the health of implants and can lead to loss of them, if left untreated. Despite impressive success rates, one implant is still lost every four minutes, which translates into 140,000 cases per year.

Around 50% of implant patients will develop peri-implant mucositis over time. Approximately one-third of all patients will develop clinically manifested peri-implantitis.

(Source: Dentognostics)