A team of researchers from the School of Dental Science at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Kubang Kerian, Kota Baru, has produced the world's first organic composite dental filling, made from rice husk.

Team leader Prof Dr Ismail Ab Rahman said the innovation, which would potentially replace the conventional amalgam dental filling, was the culmination of a research which began in 2011 under an RM242,500 three-year research grant from USM.

"It complies with international dental standards, can be produced at a lower cost, has a longer shelf life and a conceivably wide market," Ismail told a press conference in Kota Baru today.

He said they chose rice husk because it has a comparably high silica content of 10 percent.

Amalgam can be toxic if used incorrectly

Also, the estimated cost of producing 4g of composite rice husk is only RM44, compared with the market price for amalgam, which is between RM130 and RM200, depending on the grade.

"Amalgam has been used as dental fillings for a long time, but it can be toxic if used incorrectly. It is also corrosive and unaesthetic.

"The colour of nano-composite resin is similar to teeth, hence the choice," Ismail said of the innovation, which bagged a gold medal at the 24th International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2013 last month.

Meanwhile, another USM researcher, Dr Zuraida Zainun, also won a gold medal at the exhibition for her Bal ex Zuraida-Shah Rotatory Chair, which can be used for body imbalance therapy and rehabilitation.

"The US first invented the chair, which costs RM275,000 each. There are only two in Malaysia, at Hospital Prince Court and Pantai Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

"I took the initiative to produce it, with the cooperation of researchers from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (Unimap), at a cost of only about RM11,000," Zuraida said.

- Bernama