Advanced Dental Patch Reduces Decay

Using a mineral called hydroxyapatite, a team of Japanese investigators was recently able to develop an extremely thin medical film, which can be applied to teeth to make them appear whiter, and also to prevent tooth decay.

The mineral is one of the main components of natural tooth enamel, and using it for this type of applications has the potential to make sensitive teeth a thing of history. The team that created the film is based at the Kinki University Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology.

One of the most amazing aspects of the hydroxyapatite thin film is that it still retains some flexibility, meaning that it can be bent to accommodate all tooth shapes. The new structure could also be used to treat damaged enamel.

Undoubtedly, the thing that will certainly promote such films into mainstream use is the fact that they become invisible once they are applied over teeth, ABC News reports.