How a different drug for Alzheimer’s sufferers might speed up the end of traditional fillings in the near future...
No More Fillings: a drug for Alzheimer’s sufferers could be part of a dental breakthrough. Image by Kalinovskiy (via Shutterstock).
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, there was a television advert for Colgate toothpaste featuring a shopkeeper. He hoped to see the end of fillings for good. Wherever he [the actor] is now, his wish may soon come true.
Thanks to a team of researchers at King’s College London, it was found that Tideglusib stimulates the stem cells in the pulp of teeth. Dentine, the mineralised material underneath the enamel can regenerate after trauma, though only thinly. Recent developments will allow for the repair of cavities whilst retaining the teeth’s mineral levels.
On the findings, Dr. Nigel Carter, the CEO of the Oral Health foundation said:
“This is an extremely interesting and novel approach which shows great promise and we will look forward to it being translated into clinical application that could undoubtedly be a progressive step in the treatment of dental disease.
“While fillings have remained highly effective in repairing large cavities, they are susceptible to wear-and-tear and can occasionally be in need of repair and replacement.”