The new product, a dental infiltrant, is designed to treat white spot lesions—the first visible signs of tooth decay—before they develop into full cavities. This minimally invasive solution could revolutionize how caries are treated, especially in children, and offers a much-needed alternative to traditional drilling and filling.

The infiltrant works by penetrating the tooth's surface to stop the spread of decay at its earliest stage. In addition to halting the physical progression of caries, the infiltrant also possesses bacteriostatic properties, limiting the growth of harmful bacteria responsible for dental diseases.

'This method eliminates the need for rotary-mechanical devices, which many patients associate with the discomfort of traditional dental treatments,’ says Professor Małgorzata Skucha-Nowak, a periodontology expert from the Medical University of Silesia. ‘If caught early, we can stop cavities from forming entirely—without the need for drilling.’

The substance, which has a resin-like consistency, is easily applied to the affected area of the tooth, even in hard-to-reach spots, thanks to its precise design. This allows for effective protection and regeneration of the tooth, without causing pain or requiring invasive procedures.

The dental infiltrant is not only a more comfortable alternative to traditional treatments, but it is also expected to be more affordable. The researchers hope this will increase access to preventive dental care, especially in clinics that work with Poland's National Health Fund (NFZ).

‘The goal is to make this treatment available at a lower cost than traditional methods, which could help expand access to more patients,’ says Wojciech Borówka, a technology broker at the Medical University of Silesia. The researchers are currently in talks with business partners to bring the infiltrant to market, and once an agreement is reached, they plan to make an announcement.

The project, which has been in development for five years, is the result of interdisciplinary cooperation between dental experts, material scientists, and engineers. Researchers from both the Medical University of Silesia and the Silesian University of Technology worked together on everything from the production process to creating test batches of the infiltrant.

While the new dental treatment is still in its clinical testing phase, the researchers are optimistic about its potential to reduce the prevalence of dental caries—a condition that continues to affect many, despite ongoing preventive measures in schools and kindergartens.

Despite increasing awareness about oral health, Professor Skucha-Nowak says that dental caries remains a significant issue among both children and adults. She urges patients to visit the dentist regularly, especially for preventive check-ups, to catch issues like white spot lesions before they develop into cavities.

(PAP)

Julia Szymańska

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