End of drills, injections and fillings? New dental treatment makes 'teeth repair themselves'

A tooth-rebuilding technique developed at King’s College London, which could be available in three years, would spell the end of drillings and filli

14:07 16 June 2014

A tooth-rebuilding technique developed at King’s College London, which will be available to the public in three years, does away with fillings and instead, it encourages teeth to repair themselves. 

 

The procedure, which involves no injections at all, is called Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation (EAER) and was designed to accelerate the natural movement of calcium and phosphate minerals into the damaged tooth. 

 

Professor Nigel Pitts, from the London university’s Dental Institute, said: "The way we treat teeth today is not ideal. When we repair a tooth by putting in a filling, that tooth enters a cycle of drilling and re-filling as, ultimately, each repair fails.

 

"Not only is our device kinder to the patient and better for their teeth, but it’s expected to be at least as cost-effective as current dental treatments."

 

He added that the technique will not only fight tooth decay but it can also be used to whiten teeth. 

 

The company, which is the first to emerge from a research centre, is now looking for private investment to develop EAER into the wider market.