There is a natural tooth repair method that could revolutionize dental treatments. It was discovered by a team of researchers from King’s College London. Currently, dentists use man made cements or fillings to treat larger cavities (which are often caused by trauma or infection). A shortfall of this treatment, however, is that regular mineral level of the tooth never gets back to original levels. However, with this new treatment, it can.
The method requires stimulating the renewal of living stem cells in tooth pulp using an Alzheimer’s drug. This treatment could allow teeth to repair large cavities using their natural abilities instead of relying on man made products.
Key Takeaways:
- A new method of stimulating the renewal of living stem cells in tooth pulp using an Alzheimer’s drug has been discovered by a team of researchers at King’s College London.
- In a paper published in Scientific Reports, scientists from the Dental Institute at King’s College London have proven a way to stimulate the stem cells contained in the pulp of the tooth and generate new dentine — the mineralised material that protects the tooth — in large cavities, potentially reducing the need for fillings or cements.
- The novel, biological approach could see teeth use their natural ability to repair large cavities rather than using cements or fillings, which are prone to infections and often need replacing a number of times.
“The simplicity of our approach makes it ideal as a clinical dental product for the natural treatment of large cavities, by providing both pulp protection and restoring dentine.”
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170109092624.htm