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Acid syringe 'could spell an end to dentist's drill'

By James Tozer
07th February 2010

The dreaded drill could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new technique in which teeth are treated with acid gel squirted from a syringe. First, a rubber 'collar' is placed around the target tooth to protect its neighbours. The four-inch syringe then applies a spot of the gel to the discoloured and decaying part.

Within a couple of minutes the acid etches through the enamel into the cavity below, which is then cleaned then dried using ethanol. FInally, the dentist injects a quick-drying resin into the hole which hardens quickly under a high-energy blue light.

The finished filling looks like normal tooth enamel and the whole process takes just 15 minutes.

Icon's developers say small areas of decay, or 'caries', can be treated early before they develop into large cavities, sparing patients more invasive treatment and discomfort.

The treatment has been developed by German company DMG Dental Products in conjunction with the University of Kiel and the Charite medical school in Berlin.