Dental Glass Filling

Scientists from the Oregon State University (OSU) have asserted that ‘bioactive’ glass may not only prolong the life of dental fillings but also prevent secondary tooth decay. Engineers from OSU have discovered the ability of bioactive glass that could hamper bacteria’s ability to attack composite tooth fillings. Scientists say the glass may even replace some lost minerals.

It has been estimated that an average person chew for more than 600,000 times a year and studies suggest the average lifetime of a posterior is only six years. On the other hand, bioactive glass, a type of crushed glass is being used for decades for healing bones. Of late, bioactive glass is being used in dentistry and new findings reveal that it can be a promising tool for tooth fillings. Bacteria in the mouth that causes cavities do not react with the bioactive glass and are therefore, less likely to colonise tooth fillings.

Bioactive glass is made from compounds of silicon oxide, calcium oxide and phosphorous oxide. The glass is known as bioactive because the body reacts with it, unlike the other biomedical products. The glass can prolong the life of the fillings as bacteria do not react with the glass containing fillings.