Tooth Enamel In-Mouth Regeneration

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Nathan Cochrane has discovered a new way of treating tooth decay without using traditional fillings and extractions. The main idea consists in reversing the tooth decay and making the enamel re-grow. The whole process takes place at night, while the person sleeps. A powerful solution of calcium, fluoride and phosphate is delivered to the affected tooth. The solution is absorbed from a small tray fitted before.

Dr. Cochrane, from the Cooperative Research Centre for Oral Health Science, said that: “The damaged tooth enamel is repaired when the application of the mineral treatment is precisely localized around the affected tooth. It makes the crystals of the tooth re-grow.”

Based on his past experience Dr. Cochrane observed how teeth with fillings in them often become weaker. This made him think about a way of using chemical processes to replace the minerals lost from teeth through decay.

Dr. Cochrane cooperated with internationally known experts, Professor Eric Reynolds, and his colleagues at the CRC. They discovered a substance that being isolated from cow’s milk could be used to stabilize the calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions, than to disperse them into tooth enamel and infix in the crystal lattice.

Saliva could easily dilute the mineral solution, that’s why he developed a small tray, that perfectly covers the tooth and focuses the solution on it. Cochrane has already patented the device.

It is considered that the new innovation can help patients with signs of early decay to use this treatment for a given period of time. The procedure can potentially avoid fillings and extractions treatments. However, it can be done only after a specialized dentist have prescribed Dr. Cochrane’s method.

Recently Dr. Cochrane was invited to present his research results at the Pathfinders Conference, organized by the Cooperative Research Centers Association.