A team of researchers at the University of London have won a prize for developing a new product that could bring relief to people suffering with toothache; the degradable particle enters holes in the teeth and dissolves to form vital minerals that help to rebuild the tooth – reducing pain and repairing damage from dental decay and enamel erosion.
Professor Robert Hill, team leader, was thrilled to have won the £25,000 Venture Prize for the innovation; the science award is presented by the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers. Prof Hill released a statement explaining how the product works, he said ‘These new particles dissolve faster than existing ones and are also softer than tooth enamel. They have a more expanded open structure and this allows water to go into the glass structure faster and the calcium and phosphate ions to come out faster.’
He also added that the money would help the team develop the research into commercial products, so that the findings can benefit the general public – specifically by beginning testing with a prototype toothpaste containing the particle.
Professor Bill Bonfield, chairman of the awarding body, said that ‘this is a hugely exciting development which could benefit millions of people not only throughout the UK and Europe but right across the world. It meets our aim to encourage innovative scientific entrepreneurship in the UK and provide funding, which is often difficult to source, to bring new materials like this to the market.’