Rockland County Dentist | Spring Valley NY Dentist | Bergen County NJ dentist Alan F. Pressman, D.M.D.

The Wright Brothers took their first flight about a hundred years ago. Space flight was born about 50 years later.

Modern Dentistry today has seen similar progress to these fields over the last fifty years.

60 years ago they were talking about using the new types of alloys in silver fillings.

50 years ago, the first bonding materials were introduced.

Dental caries affects different parts of the teeth, and has been plaguing the world for years. Caused by poor diet and poor home care, once it begins the only way to eliminate a cavity today is through having a filling. Fluoride works wonders, but it is not going to stop decay once it has begun. For years, scientists were claiming that they could invent a ‘Caries Vaccine’. This vaccine would work to eliminate the bacterium that causes tooth decay. Forsyth Institute of Harvard University has been issuing statements since the late 1990’s with updates research around this vaccine against tooth decay. (Dr Smith at FI, and another reference)

In 2006, researchers from the Forsyth Institute reported they were very close to developing this vaccine. (source)

Dental caries is an infectious disease caused when certain oral bacteria come in direct contact with teeth in the presence of sugar. The vaccine would contain antigens that would stimulate the body to attack the cavity causing bacteria. At this point in time, there is no FDA approval for such a vaccine.

Another amazing development coming from France, is about scientists that are working on a gel that prompts tooth cellular material to start multiplying. They feel that when applied, the tooth will be able to repair itself and return to a healthy condition. The gel is a mixture of MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) and a chemical called poly-l-glutamic acid.

These spectacular scientific advancements could sound fantastical to some, like so much fantasy. To others, they could even bring shades of Stephen King to mind. However, given our history of progress in the field of dentistry, it is quite possible that within the next 5 years drilling and filling cavities will be as obsolete as the Wright Brothers ‘Kitty Hawk’.

Last changed: Dec 10 2010 at 11:31 AM