Isaac Bugueno Valdebenito

MutaDent tackles dental caries, the most common non-communicable disease in the world, affecting more than 2.5 billion people. If not treated correctly or timely, initial lesions can develop into deep cavities and cause irreversible damage to the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), ultimately leading to root canal treatment or extraction. Although current vital pulp treatments show good short-term results, studies report a long-term failure or complication rate of around 30 to 40%, often due to insufficient dentin regeneration, material degradation, microleakage, or persistent pulp inflammation. This means that one to two out of every four treated teeth will ultimately require root canal treatment or extraction, despite the initial success of the treatment. 

In his research at the University of Zurich, Isaac and his team have developed MutaDent. This is a new-generation bioactive dental cement that combines a specific mineral matrix with a controlled-release peptide derived from the oral microbiome. This formulation stimulates natural dentin regeneration and pulp healing. Hence, the material promises a true regenerative alternative to conventional materials and is expected to reduce 40 to 50% of treatment failures. The preservation of dental vitality after treatment with MutaDent should lower healthcare costs since less invasive treatments are needed. 

The initial target market is the global dental biomaterials sector, with a particular focus on pulp capping and vital pulp treatment procedures. The main users will be dentists and endodontists seeking better results for their patients.

During his Entrepreneur Fellowship, Isaac will enable MutaDent to move from an academic proof of concept to a mature translational regenerative dental material. The grant will enable critical experiments to be conducted, including formulation optimization and initial in vivo proof-of-concept studies to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of MutaDent. In parallel, the team will work on intellectual property protection, regulatory, and clinical planning, laying the essential groundwork for subsequent funding and future clinical development. 

Affiliation: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Mutlu Özcan
Start date: 1.09.25