When dentists discover cavities in their patients, they are often filled with a tooth-colored material that looks just like a person’s own teeth. However, tooth-colored fillings usually require replacement every five to seven years, often because tooth decay has formed under the filling. A researcher at the OU College of Dentistry in Oklahoma City is investigating which components of filling materials are most susceptible to decay and which enzymes in a person’s saliva cause the most plaque.