5 Ways Technology is Altering Dental Care for the Better
Tooth care used to be as complex as tying a string to a door knob and shutting the door. However, we've seen great advances in the last century and as with most things in medical science, the pace of change is speeding up still. Here are 5 ways tech is changing tooth care for the better.
Paint That Can Help To Prevent Decay
A paste has been developed by researchers from the University of Leeds that gets painted onto the teeth to help protect them against decay. Peptides – which are naturally occurring molecules – are contained in the paste. They seep into very small holes that are on the surface of the tooth. A gel is formed by the peptides that offers a 'scaffold' for attracting calcium from the saliva. You can see more about these at research peptides. A protective layer is provided by the calcium. Originally the paste was developed to treat early decay.
Professor Jennifer Kirkam, from University of Leeds school of dentistry, says that they already knew that the formula was capable of providing some degree of repair for tooth decay, but that in the fluid or paste they could also see that it was able to protect again acid attack as well.
Seaweed Toothpaste
Newcastle University researchers have discovered that there is an organism that is found in seaweed that has the ability to cut through plaque, which is the bacteria which forms on teeth. The way that traditional toothpastes work is that they rub off the plaque. However, even when brushing carefully not all of the plaque is removed. A 'biofilm' is formed by the remaining plaque, which is a collection of bacteria that are mostly harmful and stick to one's teeth. It is thought by researchers that an enzyme coming from the organism Bacillus licheniformis may strip harmful bacteria out of the plague. It can be used in a mouthwash or paste.
According to Professor Nairn Wilson from King's College in London, traditionally toothpaste and mouthwash have been used as a disinfectant and cleaner for getting rid of bugs.
However much of the recent research has focused on the biofilm to see how it could be approached for creating a defensive field and excluding bad bugs. However, more studies are necessary to show that this technique is safe and works.
Available: Within the next 5 years
Torch For Rebuilding Teeth
Researchers from University of Birmingham's School of Dentistry have discovered that shining a light with certain wavelengths onto tooth cavities might help to promote repair naturally.
This process is called photobiomodulation and it activates growth factors inside the teeth so that stem cells will form dentine.
Available: Within the next 5 years
A vibrating gumshield has been developed by Israeli scientists. It is worn at night and is able to act much more quickly than conventional braces can. This Aeroentis deveice comes with a vibrating silicone balloon which rests against one's teeth. It moves the teeth gently so that they line up with a gumshield which is moulded into the proper shape. This balloon vibrates several time per second. It is strong enough for stimulating the teeth so that they move but still gentle enough so that the atient is not woken up. According to the maker, teeth are able to be realigned in only three months. With conventional braces it takes 12 to 18 months.
Professor Damian Walmsle, who is a British Dental Association scientific adviser, the idea is an exciting one. However, it is still too early to tell whether it is a concept that works or not.
King's College researchers have developed technology that is similar. It is called the Acceledent. It is worn around an existing brace for a period of 20 minutes per day. The teeth's movement is gently accelerated by tiny pulse.
Available: Orthodontists like time4smile.co.uk have Aerodentis available. Go to acceledent.co.uk to locate an orthodontist who can fit Acceledent.
Boost Your Jawbone
Sometimes patients won't have a sufficient amount of bone for anchoring a dental implant. Although bone can be used from other parts of the body, surgery is required. Scientists now have been able to devise ways of growing bone that uses synthetic bone chips made out of materials like calcium carbonate.
Wayne Halfpenny, who is a maxillofacial surgeon and oral consultant at Cavell Hospital in London and BMI The King's Oak, explains that the chips are then mixed with plasma – which is the liquid portion of blood that helps with bone cell growth. He adds that the mixture gets packed into the area that is damage to form a scaffolding so that bone cells can growth to form new bone. This however can take as long as six months prior to the bone being thick enough for anchoring an implant.