Dental phobia is incredibly common , partly due to the drilling and associated pain . However , new research led by Nigel Pitts of King ’s College London Dental Innovation and Translation Centre uses electrical impulse to encourage tooth to regrow themselves . The research worker believe this proficiency could be uncommitted for clinical use within three years .

Before forcible cavities show up , tooth decomposition goes in stages . While minerals of course cycle in and out of teeth , shortage can compromise the unity of the enamel , eventually leading to potential cavity and further decay . Traditionally , dentists will drill into the decayed area , remove the unhealthy stuff , and sate it back in with a composite resin or dental amalgam to protect the tooth . Silver amalgam fillings typically last longer than rosin , though rosin look more like natural tooth , force the patient role to make a cosmetic determination .

Pitts and his team have modernize a new proficiency they have knight Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralization ( EAER ) . As the name imply , a pocket-sized electric current allows Ca and phosphate to remineralize the tooth , protect against decay . This proficiency has been long - sought after by dentists , as it allow the body to furbish up itself without drill , anxiety , or nuisance . The team is currently search private investors to avail bring this twist to securities industry within the next three years .

“ The way we treat teeth today is not ideal – when we indemnify a tooth by frame in a filling , that tooth enters a wheel of drilling and re - fulfil as , ultimately , each “ haunt ” fails , ” Pitts said in apress going . “ Not only is our twist kinder to the patient role and better for their tooth , but it ’s expected to be at least as cost - effective as current dental treatment . Along with fight tooth disintegration , our gimmick can also be used to white tooth . ”

Last month , a team from Harvard ’s Wyss Instituteannounced a laser treatmentthat encourage base cell to differentiate into dentin , the layer of tooth underneath the enamel , over the course of about 12 calendar week . Though this proficiency is still in its early stages , repairing lose enamel is critical to assure the regrown dentine detain tidy . The cells that make enamel pall off shortly after the tooth is form , though it can wear down or become damage through injury , arrange the tooth at peril for decay .

It is estimate that over 2.3 billion people face some level of tooth decay each twelvemonth . It is wide believe thatmodern dietsare expediting tooth decline , as acidulent foods and deglutition like citrous fruit and soda erode enamel . increase total of carbohydrates and refined cabbage have also been identified as culprits in influencing the mouth ’s microbiota , leaving people more prostrate to developing decay .