A new product developed by Japanese scientists is thought to be able to prevent decay and make teeth appear whiter; the ‘tooth patch’ is a durable, flexible material made from hydroxyapatite – the mineral used to build tooth enamel – that could also reduce sensitivity in teeth.
Professor at Kinki University, Shigeki Hontsu, says ‘This is the world’s first flexible apatite sheet, which we hope to use to protect teeth or repair damaged enamel. Dentists used to think an all-apatite sheet was just a dream, but we are aiming to create artificial enamel.’
The film can me made thinner than a millimetre and is completely invisible once it is placed over the tooth; Hontsu explains ‘The moment you put it on a tooth surface it becomes invisible. You can barely see it if you examine it under a light.’ The sheet has several tiny holes in it to allow liquid and air to escape, which prevents bubbles forming when it is applied to the enamel. Research is on-going to see if the product can be used to make teeth appear whiter, and further trials are required before it can be used in practical dental treatment; researchers are experimenting on disused human teeth and hope to move onto animal testing before too long. Professor Hontsu has also said he will be trying it on his own teeth, saying he feels confident that the film could be used cosmetically within three years, five years for practical treatment.