Scientists have developed an innovative protein-based gel that can repair and regenerate tooth enamel, offering a transformative approach to dental care. Published in Nature Communications, this breakthrough from the University of Nottingham presents a bio-inspired material designed to restore enamel weakened by erosion or demineralization, strengthen existing enamel, and prevent future decay. This technology promises longer-lasting and more effective treatments compared to traditional methods.
Tooth enamel, the hardest tissue in the human body, protects teeth from physical and chemical damage but cannot regenerate naturally once lost, leading to vulnerability to cavities, sensitivity, and tooth loss. Existing treatments, such as fluoride varnishes, provide temporary relief but do not rebuild enamel structure. The newly developed gel mimics the natural proteins that guide enamel formation during infancy, enabling a process called epitaxial mineralization.
The gel is applied like standard fluoride treatments and forms a thin yet robust layer on the tooth surface. The protein scaffold captures calcium and phosphate ions from saliva, fostering the organized growth of new apatite nanocrystals seamlessly integrated with the natural enamel substrate. It can also coat exposed dentine, reducing sensitivity and improving bonding for dental restorations. Researchers tested the mechanical properties of regenerated enamel under simulated real-life stresses such as chewing, brushing, and acidic exposure.
According to lead author Dr. Abshar Hasan and Principal Investigator Professor Alvaro Mata, the gel’s simple application, safety, and scalability make it a promising solution for patients of all ages with enamel loss and dentine exposure. Enamel degradation affects nearly half the global population and is linked not only to oral diseases but also systemic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This innovation could vastly improve dental treatment outcomes, offering a durable, fluoride-free regeneration method.
The research team has initiated commercialization efforts through their startup Mintech-Bio, with plans to launch the first product by next year. If successful, this gel could revolutionize dental care, enabling self-healing teeth and better oral health worldwide.
REFERENCE: Abshar Hasan, Andrey Chuvilin, Alexander Van Teijlingen, Helena Rouco, Christopher Parmenter, Federico Venturi, Michael Fay, Gabriele Greco, Nicola M. Pugno, Jan Ruben, Charlotte J. C. Edwards-Gayle, Benjamin Myers, Ingrid Dreveny, Nathan Cowieson, Adam Winter, Sara Gamea, X. Frank Walboomers, Tanvir Hussain, José Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello, Frankie Rawson, Tell Tuttle, Sherif Elsharkawy, Avijit Banerjee, Stefan Habelitz, Alvaro Mata. Biomimetic supramolecular protein matrix restores structure and properties of human dental enamel. Nature Communications, 2025; 16 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64982-y
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