Curodont™ Repair
What is Curodont™ Repair?
Curodont™ Repair is a treatment for tooth decay that is caught early, before it has made a hole in the tooth. It is painted onto the surface of the tooth. There’s no drilling and no injection.
It was developed by vVARDIS, a Swiss dental company, and is now available at Mallards in Henfield. For many patients it means early decay can be treated at a routine appointment, rather than being watched until it needs a filling.
What is early tooth decay?
Decay starts when acids from sugary food and drink draw minerals out of the enamel. In the early stages, the surface of the tooth is still intact, but the enamel underneath becomes porous. You may see it as a chalky white or light brown patch. Between the teeth, it often only shows up on an X-ray.
At this stage there is usually no pain, so most people don’t know it’s there until we spot it at a check-up. Until now, the choice was to apply fluoride and keep watching, or to wait until a hole formed and place a filling.
How does it work?
Curodont™ Repair contains self-assembling peptides, short chains of protein building blocks. Once applied, the liquid soaks into the porous area of early decay. The peptides then link together to form a fine framework inside the enamel.
Over the following weeks and months, calcium and phosphate from your saliva build up on this framework, forming new tooth mineral. The aim is to stop the decay from getting worse and help the enamel rebuild from the inside, so the tooth never needs drilling.
What happens at your appointment?
- Check – we examine the tooth and, if needed, take an X-ray to confirm the decay is at an early stage.
- Clean – the surface is cleaned and prepared so the liquid can reach the affected area.
- Apply – the liquid is applied to the tooth and left to soak in for a few minutes.
- Done – you can go straight back to your day. We ask you not to eat or drink for 30 minutes.
The whole visit usually takes minutes, and one application is often enough. We then check the area at your routine check-ups, with X-rays where needed, to make sure it is healing.
Who is it suitable for?
Curodont™ Repair can be used for children and adults who have early decay with no hole in the tooth. It can be used on any tooth, including the surfaces between teeth.
We think it is especially worth considering if you:
- feel anxious about drills and injections
- have a child with early decay, where avoiding a filling makes the visit easier
- have white spots on your teeth after wearing a brace
- want to keep as much of your natural tooth as possible
What it can’t do
Curodont™ Repair only works on early decay. Once decay has broken through the surface and made a hole, the tooth needs a filling or other restoration. It isn’t a whitening treatment, and it doesn’t replace brushing, flossing or regular check-ups.
Not every early lesion responds in the same way. That’s why we keep checking the treated area, and if decay does progress, we’ll talk you through the next step.
Looking after your teeth afterwards
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and spit rather than rinse.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or interdental brushes.
- Keep sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes where you can.
- Keep coming to your routine check-ups so we can see how the area is healing.
We may also recommend a protective gel to use at home for a while.
Why Mallards?
Prevention has always been at the heart of how we work. Adding Curodont™ Repair means that when we find early decay at a check-up, we can now do something about it straight away, without drilling.
- Our dentists are on the General Dental Council register.
- The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission.
- We welcome children from the age of two, so we can spot early changes before they become problems.
- Read more about our approach to preventive dentistry.
Curodont™ Repair near Brighton, Burgess Hill and Horsham
We’re at 2 Mallard Way, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9HF, about 25 minutes’ drive from Brighton and Hove and close to Steyning, Burgess Hill, Hurstpierpoint and Horsham. There’s free parking, disabled parking and step-free access.
Frequently asked questions
No. The liquid is simply applied to the surface of the tooth, so there is no drilling and no injection. Most people feel nothing at all.
No. A filling replaces tooth that has been lost to decay, which means drilling it away first. Curodont™ Repair treats decay before a hole forms and helps the tooth rebuild its own enamel.
The application itself takes a few minutes. Including the check and cleaning, the visit usually takes around 15 minutes.
Yes. It can be used for children and adults. Because there is no drill or injection, many children find it much easier than a filling.
Early decay rarely causes pain. You might notice a chalky white or light brown spot, but often it can only be found at a check-up or on an X-ray. Book a check-up and we will look for you.
One application is often enough. We check the area at your routine check-ups, and the dentist may repeat the treatment if needed.
Not every early lesion responds in the same way. If the decay progresses and a hole forms, we will discuss a filling or other treatment with you.
Please avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment. After that you can carry on as normal.
Treatment costs £120 per tooth and £85 for additional tooth.
[Yes / No – new patients are welcome.] Call 01273 495 966 or book online.
Think you might have early decay, or want to know if Curodont™ Repair is right for you? Call 01273 495 966 or book a check-up online.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a dental examination.