Current Events: Nanocomposite Cavity Filler Reverses Decay, Killing Bacteria and Regenerating Tooth Structure

Current Events:  Nanocomposite Cavity Filler Reverses Decay, Killing Bacteria and Regenerating Tooth Structure

       Have you or your child had to get a filling for a cavity? Having to pay so much and to go through the whole procedure? How you have to be numbed in the mouth so you do not feel any pain? Then it turns out the filling was done wrong so you wasted all that money and time for nothing and you have to do it again? Well now there is a solution. The University of Maryland have created a nanocomposite material that goes through two different stages. First it is the silver nanoparticles, they clean the teeth and kill any bacteria on or surrounding the tooth. The in the second stage it uses phosphate nanoparticles that then coats the tooth and strengthens the tooth. Over time the tooth is then back and healthy. The only known downside to this is the silver nanoparticles. Instead of being a mouthwash or a toothpaste they are recommending the dentists to use it because there are unknown side effects of ingesting the silver nanoparticles. Testing is still going on.
          I believe if this "product" is released to the public and is used by dentists everywhere it will help many. Some of the reasons in this is that adults that have embarrassing fillings that they can't get rid of since they are their adult teeth then they can just use the filler. A second reason to why this material can be so useful is to help people who have rotting teeth or cavities that can effect how people treat them, or for adults because they might be judged when trying to get a job and that simple thing can cause doubt in the workers eyes. Another reason that i think this nanocomposite material will benefit our country is because  you do not have to repeatedly get fillings. When you get a filling and then it breaks or chips and you need to replace it. That will be a huge fee so instead this material can regenerate tooth decay so once you use it you do not need it again. Well unless you have another cavity. I think that even if it is still in its development stage it will have a great impact on the world. The price for this material is still unknown but once released it will be available to all dentists around the world and can be used by any patient. The thought of being able to stop these cavities will help all. So in the end, The University of Maryland is working extremly hard to get this product out.
      Here is where the picture and information came from and if you want to read the full article:
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-05/nanocomposite-cavity-filler-reverses-decay-killing-bacteria-and-regenerating-tooth-structure

Here is a picture of a a patient "fighting" a cavity. Since the university has not released a real photo or a diagram they put this photo.

Two dentists filling a cavity for their patient.