On guard for dental health: scientists develop next-generation fillings

Unlike existing counterparts, these fillings developed by American scientists are resistant to external effects, which means that they have a practically unlimited lifespan.

Even high-quality fillings can only last up to 7-10 years. The devastating impact of germs still takes its toll, and the filling ends up decaying. A recent development created by Oregon Health & Science University experts can significantly increase the maximum lifespan.

It’s all thanks to a set of brand-new materials and a special type of adhesive: together, these components make these new fillings significantly more durable than regular ones. The key component is thiourethane — a material that is particularly famous for its durability and is often used in industrial production.

A six-month experiment was conducted to assess the durability of these fillings. In the course of the experiment, the fillings were placed in a container with similar conditions to the inside of a mouth. It turned out that this filling decayed by 30% less than existing counterparts. This development might not allow us to completely keep toothaches at bay, but it will probably let us visit the dentist less often.