Research taking place in America has found that within a few years, ‘bioactive’ glass could be used in composite tooth fillings to help reduce the risk of tooth decay, and therefore make the filling last longer.
Composite tooth fillings, or ‘white fillings’, are often preferred by patients over traditional silver amalgam fillings as they more closely resemble natural teeth, but their lifespan can be much shorter. However, engineers at Oregon State University have been investigating how ‘bioactive’ glass could change this.
‘Bioactive’ glass is a type of crushed glass which the body notices is there, so consequently reacts with. This interaction with the body has been used in ‘some types of bone healing for decades,’ says Jamie Kruzic, professor and expert in advanced structural and biomaterials at OSU’s College of Engineering.
Now it could be used in dentistry too, as studies have found that the bacteria in the mouth responsible for causing tooth decay and cavities can be impaired by this specific type of glass. Compounds within the bioactive glass include silicon oxide, calcium oxide, and phosphorus oxide, replacing the inert glass fillers mixed with polymers to create the fillings currently used. It is believed that these ions have a toxic effect on the oral bacteria, therefore neutralising the mouth.
Kruzic adds that ‘almost all fillings will eventually fail’, due to the secondary tooth decay that starts in the spaces between tooth and filling. However, research shows that the damage caused by bacteria causing tooth decay is significantly reduced with the fillings containing bioactive glass. This should then delay the secondary tooth decay, and potentially provide minerals to replace the ones being lost.
The intention is that this will help fillings last longer, which could be a great development in dental technology. Now the team at OSU hope that their laboratory results will be confirmed by clinical research, and that bioactive glass will soon be easily incorporated into the existing formulations used for composite tooth fillings.