Tooth decay could be lasered away with five-minute blast

Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 10:37AM BST 29 May 2014 | Alice Philipson

[Olog-hai]

The agony of root canal surgery and the need for tooth fillings could soon be ended after scientists discovered a way to make a rotting tooth repair itself using a laser beam.

Just five minutes under a laser was enough to kickstart the healing process inside the mouth, the researchers found. The new technique—although only tested on rats so far—could prevent the need for fillings for some types of decay, and may eventually replace painful and expensive root canal treatment.

Researchers, which included experts from the US government’s dental research team, found a blast of intense light from a laser activated a chemical in the mouth which “woke up” stem cells within the tooth. The stem cells then formed new dentine, the hard core of the tooth that can easily rot away, around twelve weeks later. …

[Ted Grant]

Too bad the tooth gets blasted away with it!

[Vendome]

Kewel

[VRW Conspirator]

Yes, but what kind of carbon footprint does it make.

[equalator]

I bet the smoke is stinky

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I thought that pulling the bag from Ugly Bob’s face would also kill tooth decay. Would also make one a Canadian hero.

[driftdiver]

Here's a picture of the device.

[DJ MacWoW]

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[Moonman62]

The stem cells then formed new dentine, the hard core of the tooth that can easily rot away, around twelve weeks later. …

If it doesn't produce new enamel wouldn't the dentine rot away again?

[RFEngineer]

The biggest surprise is they are doing dental research at all in the UK.

[Vigilanteman]

Probably with the idea of earning export dollars . . .

[Neidermeyer]

Lots of money in private dental practice in the UK ..

[LongWayHome]

Lol, my eyes !!!

[Hotlanta Mike]

New carbon taxes, so it’s a win win.

[Constitution Day]

Watch your back! The Cavity Creeps have a laser too.

[logi_cal869]

You should see the pic at the link...

[pieceofthepuzzle]

The problem with science these days is that findings like this, that are extremely preliminary, get reported in the press. If and when this is ready for prime time clinical testing, then let the news media tells us about it. Everyone wants to be a rock star, including a big swath of the scientific community these days.

[I want the USA back]

I doubt it.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Just hold still, Mr. Bond. This won't hurt a bit.

[dfwgator]