A drug that helps teeth grow back has been discovered – meaning fillings could become a thing of the past.
Scientists have found that Tideglusib, used to help Alzheimer’s patients, can repair cavities.
It stimulates stem cells in the pulp of the teeth to generate new dentine -the material underneath enamel that makes up the bulk of the tooth.
Scientists at King’s College London made the discovery.
Professor Paul Sharpe said: “The simplicity of our approach makes it ideal as a clinical dental product for the natural treatment of large cavities, by providing both pulp protection and restoring dentine.
“In addition, using a drug that has already been tested in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease provides a real opportunity to get this dental treatment quickly into clinics.
“I don’t think it’s massively long term, it’s quite low-hanging fruit in regenerative medicine and hopeful in three to five years this would be commercially available.”