The pain of the dentist's drill could be a thing of the past for many patients, with the development of a gel which dissolves tooth decay.

The treatment, which has been pioneered in Sweden, is said to be painless and preserves healthy tissue.

The product, called Carisol, is the brain-child of the firm Medi Team. It is about to be tested by 1,000 dentists throughout Sweden.

Two ingredients are mixed to make the gel

The gel contains three amino acids which are combined with a weak solution of sodium hypochlorite.

Dentists mix the two ingredients together to make a red gel which is then applied to the affected tooth.

In less than 30 seconds the solution eats away a layer of decayed area and the cavity can then be scraped out. The combination of two chemicals means only dead tooth is removed.

Researchers say that so far the gel has preserved healthy tissue and resulted in less bleeding from gums.

Herrmann: 'Patients lining up for new treatment' (2' 20")

However Irene Herrmann, the manager of clinical research at Medi Team, warns the breakthrough may not see the end of dentist's drills entirely.

"For many cavities such as those underneath fillings, some drilling will still be needed. But even in those cases, the drill will usually only be used to remove tissue in the least sensitive areas, far from the nerve," she said.

Decay can be easily scraped away after the gel is applied

The treatment could reduce chance of further decay. The hypochlorite dissolves the existing decay while the amino acids coat any living matter, preventing it from being attacked.

Company chief executive Claes Holmberg told New Scientist magazine that Britain will be targeted for sales because surveys show that fear of the dentist's drill deters many people from going for check-ups.

A spokesperson for the British Dental Aassociation said: "This sounds like a very interesting piece of research. It could be very useful."

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