Biodegradable nanomaterial regenerates jawbone in children with cleft palate

University of Sydney researchers have developed a biodegradable 'nanobone' material that helps the body regrow jawbone, potentially offering an alternative to invasive bone graft surgery for children with cleft lip and palate. The material generated about 80 percent more new bone than a control after eight weeks in a preclinical model. The calcium-aluminosilicate nanomaterial activates a naturally occurring growth factor, TGF-β1, to attract bone-forming stem cells and promote healing, while also inducing blood clotting within 30 seconds. This approach avoids manufactured growth factors and could enable treatment much earlier than the current standard of waiting until age 10 to 12. Cleft lip and palate affects about 1 in 700 children, and current bone graft procedures have changed little in over 50 years. The technology remains preclinical, but researchers aim to combine it with 3D-printed scaffolds for personalized treatment of traumatic injuries, tooth loss, and other bone defects.