Researchers have found that inhibiting the enzyme activity within teeth greatly increases the longevity of most composite dental fillings allowing them to remain enact longer. Most composites and other materials used to repair teeth have a general overall life of 5 years, after which their bond with teeth disintegrates enough to result in tiny separations where bacteria can take hold resulting in more decay that may cause losing that tooth. Dental tissue by design, like the rest of the body, works as a system communicating with each other using enzymes as part of their daily function. The enzymes in question, called matrix metalloproteinases,  causes dentin to break down resulting in weaker teeth ultimately leading to decay. Managing and even controlling the release of these enzymes may be the key to getting these dental fillings to last longer, resulting in less cost and less visits to the dreaded dental chair.