Apparently boffins are working on the idea of restoring teeth through natural regeneration rather than using filler to repair decay. This is great news for all those who are not fond of the dentist’s drill (er…hands up those of you who are?) The work is still on-going so don’t expect any radical results for a few years yet, but cross fingers…
That’s because materials scientists are beginning to find just the right solutions of chemicals to rebuild decayed teeth, rather than merely patching their holes. Enamel and dentin, the materials that make teeth the strongest pieces of the body, would replace the gold or ceramic fillings that currently return teeth to working order…To heal properly, the crystals need to form from the bottom of the tooth up to the enamel. Marshall isn’t sure whether that’s happening yet, but she is confident that she’ll find a way to restore dentin functionality over the next few years.
