The first hard numbers on the effects of new dental fillings that actively repair teeth have been released by Professor Robert Hill, Chair of Physical Sciences at the Institute of Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London, according to Medical News Today.
The new types of dental fillings are designed to smartly and actively repair tooth decay, potentially prolonging the life of composite fillings and reducing the need for mercury-based amalgam, which can be harmful to patients that have high amounts of fillings, according to Science Daily.
Professor Robert Hill described the technique that’s used to make the fillings different: “Our scientists and dentists at Queen Mary University of London replaced the inert tooth filling materials with our new bioactive glass. “Not only did this bioactive glass composite remineralize the partially decayed teeth, but it also creates an alkaline environment that discourages the bacteria that caused the initial decay.
“The new bioactive glass also fills in the gaps with tooth mineral thus preventing the oral bacteria which cause tooth decay from establishing themselves. Research in the US suggests this will potentially prolong the life of fillings and slow secondary tooth decay because the depth of bacterial penetration with bioactive glass fillings was significantly smaller than for inert fillings.”
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