Enamel loss is one of the most prominent causes to oral health issues – contributing to sensitivity, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Furthermore, when enamel is lost, it is irreplaceable by the body naturally, with solutions thus far only created to slow further damage – like fluoride varnishes – rather than rebuilding the tooth surface.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering – in collaboration with international partners – have created a protein-based gel that is designed to imitate the natural process during infancy that forms enamel. The research describes how the bio-inspired material can repair demineralised or eroded enamel, strengthen existing enamel, and protect against decay in the future.
A step ahead of fluoride treatments, the university explained that the gel works by creating “a scaffold” for calcium and phosphate ions from saliva which are key components in the formation of enamel. This process – known as epitaxial mineralisation – encourages the controlled growth of new enamel crystals that seamlessly integrate with the tooth’s natural structure.
When tested, the regenerated enamel proved to have mechanical properties similar to those of healthy enamel – even under everyday conditions such as chewing, brushing, and when exposed to acidic foods.
Electron microscopy images demonstrated the incredible results – within just two weeks, teeth treated with the gel confirmed the regrowth of organised enamel crystals over areas of previous erosion. The material can also be applied over exposed dentine, forming an enamel-like coating that could help relieve hypersensitivity and improve the bonding strength of restorations.
Lead researcher, Dr Abshar Hasan explained: “Dental enamel has a unique structure, which gives enamel its remarkable properties that protect our teeth throughout life against physical, chemical, and thermal insults. When our material is applied to demineralised or eroded enamel, or exposed dentine, the material promotes the growth of crystals in an integrated and organised manner, recovering the architecture of our natural healthy enamel.”
The Chair in Biomedical Engineering & Biomaterials, Professor Alvaro Mata, added that “the technology has been designed with the clinician and patient in mind. It is safe, can be easily and rapidly applied, and it is scalable, with the first release expected as soon as next year.”
As mentioned by The BBC, experts in the field, including Professor Paul Hatton of the University of Sheffield, have praised the development as a huge milestone in dentistry: “Recreating natural enamel to repair teeth has been something of a ‘Holy Grail’ for dental materials scientists for many years, where this paper suggests an exciting breakthrough has been made.”
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Main image credit: Unsplash
