Dental treatments like cavity fillings use a range of materials to ensure their effectiveness. However, the results are normally only a temporary fix, rather than a solution for life. Currently, efforts to improve the longevity of dental materials are ongoing, with researchers aiming to create longer-lasting materials. This could help to save money for both consumers and healthcare providers.
One of the major problems in dentistry currently is the fact that when we get treatments like cavities, a root canal treatment, or cosmetic dentistry like veneers, they are only temporary fixes.
While these temporary fixes will often last many years – ideally we would only require treatment once. In fact, the thought of repeated treatment can put some people off attending the dentist.
However, in positive news, research into making longer-lasting dental materials is ongoing [1]. Progress is being made, with the hope that the research will result in longer-lasting results.
The current situation
A large range of materials are needed in dentistry. For example, these materials can be used for cavity fillings, implants, in root canal treatments and veneers.
Common materials used in dental restorations include amalgam, zinc, resin, porcelain, zirconium, and bonding agents. This is by no means an exhaustive list, with a vast range used.
But while these materials do a great job of providing a fix, this is typically only a short-term measure. For example, research shows that cavity fillings last up to around 15 years, depending on the materials involved [2].
Therefore, the current situation does not provide lifetime solutions. This results in high costs for both consumers and healthcare providers. Resultingly, longer-lasting materials would make a huge difference!
Project CUPIID
In an effort to improve the current situation, The Department of Energy has set up an initiative which will provide $33.6million of funding to a team of researchers for “Project Cupiid” [1]. Project Cupiid stands for “Complex, Unique, and Powerful Imaging instrument for Dynamics” [1].
The project is bringing together chemists, physicists, engineers, bioengineers, and material scientists [1]. They hope to develop materials that can withstand the notoriously harsh conditions of the mouth.
There is an awareness among the researchers that this isn’t something that only dental researchers can create. This is why the multi-disciplinary approach is being taken [1].
By having this multi-disciplinary team, the researchers will be able to look at how different materials function within the human body. Combinations of materials will also be examined in an effort to produce the most effective and long-lasting materials.
The potential benefits
Dr. Fernando Esteban Florez of the University of Oklahoma’s College of Dentistry is a key figure in the ongoing research. Florez has said that the total cost saving for longer-lasting restoration materials would be approximately $5billion per year [1].
Cost is definitely the main benefit. Florez has pointed out that “the cost to fabricate these materials, the cost to replace restorations, the amount of time that the patient has to go to the dental office, the impacts in the oral health, those are huge” [1].
This would also mean less oral discomfort. For instance, for someone that has had a root canal treatment, they are likely to be in excruciating pain when the materials eventually fail. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to tell when this will be. Therefore, by having longer-lasting materials, this is less likely to happen.
Florez is reluctant to get too excited, instead saying that currently, “it’s very hard to pinpoint how revolutionary this is” [1]. But the hope is that in the long-term, researchers will look back at this project as a time that dentistry was revolutionized forever!
The researchers aim to produce positive results soon. Florez has said that the team would like to produce new products within the next 2 years [1]. This would surely provide a range of long-term benefits for patients, dental clinics, and dentistry as a whole.
Thinking points…
1) It can be easy to think that if you have had recent treatment, that you don’t need to return to the dentist again for a while. But as this research shows, dental treatments won’t last forever! Therefore, it is important to regularly attend your dentist for a check-up. A check-up will provide a dentist with a chance to take a look at your oral health and ensure everything is looking as it should. Remember not to get complacent – book an appointment now!
2) We mentioned above that it is difficult to know how long your dental treatments will last. However, there are things that you can do to try and boost the longevity of treatments. For example, if you have cavity fillings, eating hard foods, chewing aggressively, or ignoring the filling when brushing your teeth – can all make the life expectancy of the filling worsen. Remember to take good care of your teeth, as this can reduce the likelihood of further treatment being required.
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] Breasette, A. (2023). Revolution for dentistry, research for longer lasting dental materials. Available: https://kfor.com/news/local/revolution-for-dentistry-research-for-longer-lasting-dental-materials/. Last accessed: 9th September 2023.
[2] Jokstad, A. (2002). How long do fillings last?. Evidence-Based Dentistry. 3: p96-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400146.
