Gel Could Regenerate Tooth Enamel, Offering Alternative to Fillings
Researchers at the University of Nottingham in the UK have developed a gel that shows promise in regenerating tooth enamel and preventing tooth decay, potentially reducing the need for traditional dental fillings.
The gel contains a modified version of amelogenin, a protein crucial for enamel growth during infancy, and works by filling in microscopic holes and cracks. According to research published earlier this month in the journal Nature Communications, the gel encourages the growth of new crystals that structurally match existing enamel. “The gel was able to grow crystals epitaxially, which means it’s in the same crystallographic orientation as existing enamel,” explained Alvaro Mata, a professor in Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials at the University of Nottingham.
Tooth decay affects as much as 50% of the world’s population, and current solutions like fluoride treatments offer only temporary relief. This new gel creates a durable layer that adheres to teeth for several weeks, utilizing calcium and phosphate to stimulate enamel regrowth, even in cases of severe wear exposing the underlying dentine. “Dental enamel has a unique structure, which gives enamel its remarkable properties that protect our teeth throughout life against physical, chemical and thermal insults,” said Dr. Abshar Hasan, a postdoctoral fellow and leading author of the study. “When our material is applied to demineralized or eroded enamel, or exposed dentine, the material promotes the growth of crystals in an integrated and organized manner, recovering the architecture of our natural, healthy enamel.”
The research team, led by Professor Mata, has founded a startup called Mintech-Bio with the goal of bringing the product to market. They anticipate beginning clinical trials soon and hope to have the first product available as early as next year, and Mata stated the technology is designed to be safe, easily applied, and scalable. Fluoride treatments remain a common preventative measure, but this gel offers a potential restorative solution.
Researchers are currently preparing for clinical trials to further validate the gel’s effectiveness and safety before widespread release.
