Tooth enamel protects teeth from wear, acids, and temperature changes.
Once enamel is lost, the body cannot naturally regenerate it.
As a result, enamel damage can lead to cavities, tooth sensitivity, and, in severe cases, tooth loss.
According to ScienceDaily, dental diseases affect nearly half of the world's population.
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Current treatments can strengthen the remaining enamel, but they cannot restore enamel that has already been lost.
New method
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a fluoride-free gel that mimics the natural process by which enamel forms in young children.
The gel is applied to the tooth, where it fills small areas of damage and uses calcium and phosphate from saliva to build a new mineral layer.
According to the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, the new layer bonds with the existing tooth structure instead of simply sitting on top of it.
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Could become the treatment of the future
The researchers tested the material under conditions designed to replicate everyday toothbrushing, chewing, and exposure to acidic foods.
The results showed that the new surface behaves in the same way as healthy tooth enamel.
The study also suggests that the gel could help people with sensitive teeth by forming a protective layer over exposed dentin.
The research team is now working to develop the gel into a commercial product through the company Mintech-Bio.
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If further development and regulatory approval proceed as expected, the technology could offer a new way to repair damaged tooth enamel.
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