Losing tooth enamel has long been a one-way street. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. But that may soon change.
Scientists have developed a new gel that can repair and regenerate enamel, offering a glimpse of a future where teeth can heal themselves.
The breakthrough, led by researchers at the University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, could revolutionize preventive and restorative dental care.
Their bioinspired material mimics the proteins that guide enamel growth in infancy — only this time, it helps adults regain what time and decay have taken away.
The study details how this fluoride-free, protein-based gel creates a thin, durable layer that seeps into microscopic cracks and holes in teeth.
Acting as a scaffold, it pulls calcium and phosphate ions from saliva and promotes the organized growth of new minerals in a process known as epitaxial mineralization.
The result? Newly grown enamel that restores both the structure and properties of natural teeth.
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