Tooth Regeneration Technology Could Replace Fillings

Thu, 10 Apr 2008

Scientists in California have begun developing technology that could eventually lead to the need for fillings and drillings being completely phased out.

The aim of the technology is to identify tooth decay early enough so that the teeth begin to re-grow the crystals that make up dentin and enamel over the bad spots.

Although tooth regeneration is estimated to be at least ten years away, scientists are beginning to find the right solutions of chemicals to rebuild decayed teeth, instead of merely patching their holes.

"What we're hoping to have happen is to catch decaying teeth early and remineralise them," explained Sally Marshall, a professor at the University of California at San Francisco .

Marshall said that by placing a layer of the solution on individual test teeth they had already been able to remineralise some parts of the teeth .

She added that the ability to use some of the body's own building materials for oral repair would be a major benefit for dentists, but scientists are starting to discover that dentin, in particular, is a remarkably complex structure.

The work being carried out by Marshall and her team, which has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Structural Biology, focuses on re-growing the dentin in damaged teeth with the aid of a calcium -containing solution of ions.
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