The research led by Professor Paul Sharpe found that Tideglusib stimulates the stem cells in the dental pulp to generate new dentine, the mineralized substance beneath tooth enamel.
"The sponge is biodegradable, that's the key thing. The space occupied by the sponge becomes full of minerals as the dentine regenerates, so you don’t have anything in there to fail," Sharpe explains.
This process enables teeth to effectively repair themselves—a finding that could herald a new era in dentistry.
Dental experts are enthusiastic about the implications of this discovery. By encouraging natural tooth repair, Tideglusib could reduce the need for fillings and other dental surgeries, which are not only costly but can also lead to further complications. "It’s not just about using the drug to fill cavities, but about a comprehensive approach to encourage teeth to repair themselves," a dental researcher notes.
“The novel, biological approach could see teeth use their natural ability to repair large cavities rather than using cements or fillings, which are prone to infections and often need replacing a number of times. Indeed when fillings fail or infection occurs, dentists have to remove and fill an area that is larger than what is affected, and after multiple treatments the tooth may eventually need to be extracted. As this new method encourages natural tooth repair, it could eliminate all of these issues, providing a more natural solution for patients.”
Despite the excitement, the introduction of Tideglusib in dental practice faces regulatory and ethical hurdles. The transition from laboratory to dental clinics entails rigorous testing and approval processes to ensure safety and efficacy. Additionally, the long-term effects of using an Alzheimer’s drug for dental purposes are still to be fully understood.
The use of Tideglusib to encourage natural tooth repair is a compelling development in dental science. As research progresses, this technique may reduce the reliance on artificial treatments, promising a future where dental repair is both less invasive and more enduring.
This could potentially reduce the need for cavity fillings in the near future.
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