Bacteria Killing Dental Fillings: Fill your Mouth with Bacteria-free Smiles

By Mohamed Taki - Medical Research Editor | September 3rd, 2012

Dental fillings can do a little more than restoring a chipped tooth or filling a cavity.

Scientific researchers from University of Maryland School of Dentistry have created composite dental fillings that can kill harmful oral bacteria and foster teeth structure.

The constituents of the new dental filling materials contain calcium phosphate nanoparticles which help rebuild and regenerate tooth minerals. This new material is designed to control harmful bacteria that normally exist in the mouth and difficult to remove by traditional dental filling treatments.

Dr. Huakun Xu from Maryland University School of Dentistry said: 'Tooth decay means that the mineral content in the tooth has been dissolved by the organic acids secreted by bacteria residing in biofilms or plaques on the tooth surface.’

'These organisms convert carbohydrates to acids that decrease the minerals in the tooth structure.'

Although comparatively a less-invasive dental procedure, dental fillings are one of many popular cosmetic dental care reconstructive treatments such as dental implants, dental crowns and dental veneers.

In a conventional dental filling treatment, dentists use a high speed drill to remove the decay and loose enamel of the tooth. When the drill reaches the second layer of the tooth, the dentist sometimes uses a lower speed drill.

In most cases, dentists performing dental fillings can’t entirely eradicate all the decay or bacteria in teeth. The traditional methods used in dental fillings may leave some residual bacteria which grow right under the filling.

Using the new dental filling materials, the dentist inserts primers then applies the adhesives to the cavity in order to secure the filling in place, killing the remaining bacteria and sparing patients from another trip to the dentist.

The nanosilver material in dental fillings works by inducing the cell walls of the tooth to let in all kinds of junk and contaminates from the environment around the bacteria cells.

Dental Free-Cavity Fillings for Life

The new nanocomposite dental fillings are also manufactured to last a longer life-span. The fillings include antibacterial primer and antibacterial adhesive which outlive the typical five to ten years.

"The bottom line is we are continuing to improve these materials and making them stronger in their antibacterial and re-mineralizing capacities as well as increasing their longevity," Xu says.

This breakthrough in cosmetic dentistry will not only fill tooth cavity, kill bacteria but will also have a significant impact on your finances as it eliminates the need for multiple visits to the dentist—another reason to smile about when getting a dental fillings procedure.

To learn more about dental fillings, contact a dentist in your area.