Re:Dentists reveal new tooth decay treatment
by saidajigumi on Monday November 09, 2015 @05:02PM
(#10536140)
> It all seems so low tech.
This is because the alternative is very high tech. A living part of the body that isn't self repairing needs to be regenerated somehow. The tooth -under the enamel- is a complex living structure that doesn't self-repair. Much of our medical practice, esp. w.r.t. trauma, is based on the premise that the body can repair itself if perhaps given some assistance. But that premise fails with cavities.
At first blush, I was hoping that this work was going to be an advance that would promote repair in the deeper layers of the tooth. Sadly, we're not there yet.
This is because the alternative is very high tech. A living part of the body that isn't self repairing needs to be regenerated somehow. The tooth -under the enamel- is a complex living structure that doesn't self-repair. Much of our medical practice, esp. w.r.t. trauma, is based on the premise that the body can repair itself if perhaps given some assistance. But that premise fails with cavities.
At first blush, I was hoping that this work was going to be an advance that would promote repair in the deeper layers of the tooth. Sadly, we're not there yet.