Scientists Develop Gel That Regrows Tooth Enamel Using Saliva's Own Minerals
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Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created a protein-inspired gel that regenerates damaged tooth enamel by drawing calcium and phosphate from saliva, with a commercial product targeted within a year.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed a fluoride-free gel capable of regrowing damaged tooth enamel — a tissue the body cannot naturally replace once lost. The research comes from the university's School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, with the study led by Dr Abshar Hasan as lead author and Professor Alvaro Mata, Chair in Biomedical Engineering & Biomaterials at the University of Nottingham, as the study's lead researcher. The gel mimics the proteins that guide enamel formation during early childhood. When applied to a tooth, it acts as a scaffold that draws calcium and phosphate ions from the patient's own saliva and organises them into crystal structures that integrate seamlessly with existing enamel — a process the team calls epitaxial mineralization. The gel can also be applied to exposed dentine, potentially reducing tooth sensitivity and improving the attachment of fillings and other restorations. Laboratory tests showed the regenerated enamel performs comparably to healthy natural enamel under conditions simulating brushing, chewing and acidic exposure. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. The team has founded a spinout company, Mintech-Bio, to commercialise the technology, with an initial product targeted for release within about a year. If the approach proves successful in patients, it could fundamentally change how dentists address enamel loss, opening the possibility of rebuilding tooth surfaces that previously could only be protected or restored using conventional materials.
