It had to come. Colgate’s invisible shield is almost here.
Some readers may not remember the invisible shield. Even old-timers may not remember the secret ingredient, Gardol. But YouTube has kept the memories fresh, just like Gardol-protected breath.
The advertiser’s dream is about to come true!
A Japanese university professor, Shigeki Hontsu, has developed a tooth-patch. It is a thin biocompatible film made from hydroxyapatitte. (I think Gardol sounded better.) This film coats individual teeth to prevent decay or to make them appear whiter.
This is bad news for dentists. It’s bad news for Colgate, too.
Hydroxyapatite is the main mineral in tooth enamel “Dentists used to think an all-apatite sheet was just a dream, but we are aiming to create artificial enamel,” says one researcher. “The moment you put it on a tooth surface, it becomes invisible. You can barely see it if you examine it under a light.”
The sheet has a number of minute holes that allow liquid and air to escape from underneath to prevent their forming bubbles when it is applied onto a tooth. . . . The film is currently transparent but it is possible to make it white for use in cosmetic dentistry.
The treatment is patented in Japan and South Korea.
It is not expected to be widely available in the USA for five years.
This is going to be an invisible shield on patients’ wallets.
Yeah if the FDA and the ADA don' t kill it first. Or someone buys up the rights to produce it in the U.S. then does not do so.
I'll believe it when I see it and it is also affordable. But then a trip to Japan or South Korea is quicker than waiting five or more years and cheaper.
It won't be around for me, but this is absolutely wonderful. I just hope the govt stays out of it.