Homepage eDental Perth newsroom

New Advancement in Dentistry May End Most Dental Filling Failure

Announcement posted by eDental Perth 27 Jul 2015

Dental care provider in Perth reveals how a discovery in the UK may erase the cause of 86% of dental filling failures.
Perth, WA, 27 July 2015 - If a researcher and lecturer at the University of Bristol in the UK has her way, as much as 86% of dental filling failure may soon be eradicated. The researcher, Dr Michele Barbour, works at the University of Bristol in the UK as a senior lecturer on biomaterials in the University’s School of Oral and Dental Sciences.

Ms Barbour and her research crew recently published an article about their new product in Science Daily.* The product, called “Pertinax,” is used in conjunction with traditional antimicrobial agent Chlorhexidine to extend protection against bacterial infection for longer periods of time.

According to Dr Barbour, 86% of dental filling failure is due to bacterial infection. In addition, one out of seven dental fillings fail. Dr Barbour believes that her product will be able to provide protection against bacterial infections, as well as fungi and viruses, for “a much longer timeframe than is currently possible.”

This is important because while Chlorhexidine is effective against bacterial infections, its window of protection is comparatively short.

For her efforts so far, Dr Barbour is the recipient of the Materials Science Venture Prize, which pays 25,000 GBP to one recipient each year to help empower and encourage “scientific entrepreneurship.” The prize is awarded by The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers.

Proceeds from the prize are being used to “develop a robust and scalable manufacturing process,” according to recently-hired Pertinax CEO Ashley Cooper. Mr Cooper and Dr Barbour intend to focus their marketing approach on the dental industry, while also using it for applications such as wound care and catheters.

Dr Lisa Khokhlova, a dentist at eDental Perth, hopes the product works and makes its way to Australia soon. According to Dr Khokhlova, “If this product is as good as the research indicates, it would be of great service to our patients. The standard way to prevent infections and dental filling failure is through a comprehensive program for great oral hygiene. That includes brushing and flossing every day. It also includes regular cleaning and checkups from the dentist.”

Dr Khokhlova continued, “Unfortunately, everyone doesn’t understand the importance of good dental hygiene, regular checkups and regular cleanings. The program we teach at eDental Perth helps prevent dental filling failure, but this product may be able to prevent those who are less diligent from infection, too.”

Dr Khokhlova concluded, “We can’t wait for this product to come out. In the meantime, though, we hope that everyone is following through on good oral hygiene habits.”


*University of Bristol. "Important advance in the treatment, prevention of bacterial infection: Potential to have dramatic effect in dentistry, wound care and consumer healthcare." ScienceDaily, 17 June 2015.

eDental Perth is a provider of dental care in the Perth area. They offer emergency dentistry, general dentistry, preventative dentistry and a host of other dental services. They pride themselves in offering an environmentally friendly dentistry and finding committed and caring solutions to your dental problems. To learn more, call their Perth office on (08) 9361 1728 or visit their website: http://www.edentalperth.net.au/.