Tuesday, November 04, 2025
A new material was used to create a gel that can repair and regenerate tooth enamel, opening up new possibilities for effective and long-lasting preventive and restorative dental treatment.
Scientists from the University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy and the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, in collaboration with an international team of researchers, have developed a bio-inspired material that has the potential to regenerate deionized or corroded enamel, strengthen healthy enamel and prevent future decay. The findings were published today in Nature Communications.
The gel can be quickly applied to teeth in the same way dentists currently apply standard fluoride treatments. However, this new protein-based gel is fluoride-free and works by mimicking the key characteristics of natural proteins that guide the development of tooth enamel in infancy. When applied, the gel creates a thin and firm layer that soaks the teeth, filling holes and cracks in them. It then acts as a scaffold that takes calcium and phosphate ions from saliva and promotes the controlled growth of new mineral in a process called epitaxial mineralization. This allows the new mineral to organize and integrate into the underlying natural tissue, while regaining both the structure and properties of natural healthy enamel.
The new material can also be applied over exposed dentin, developing an enamel-like layer over the dentin, which has many benefits, such as treating hypersensitivity or enhancing the bonding of dental restorations.
Enamel degradation is a major contributor to tooth decay and is associated with dental problems that affect nearly 50% of the world’s population. These problems can lead to infections and tooth loss and can also be associated with conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Enamel does not regenerate naturally. once you lose it’s gone forever. Currently there is no solution available that can effectively regenerate enamel. Current treatments such as fluoride varnishes and remineralization solutions only relieve the symptoms of enamel loss.
Dr Abshar Hasan, postdoctoral fellow and lead author of the study, said: “Enamel has a unique structure, which gives enamel its remarkable properties that protect our teeth throughout life from physical, chemical and thermal insults. our natural healthy enamel”.
We tested the mechanical properties of these regenerated tissues under simulated “real life” conditions such as tooth brushing, chewing and exposure to acidic foods and found that the regenerated enamel behaved exactly like healthy enamel.
We are very excited because the technology is designed with the clinician and the patient in mind. It is secure, can be implemented easily and quickly, and is scalable. Also, the technology is versatile, which gives it the opportunity to be translated into multiple types of products to help patients of all ages suffering from a variety of dental problems related to enamel loss and exposed dentin. We have started this process with our start-up company Mintech-Bio and hope to have a first product next year. this innovation could soon help patients around the world.
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Further information is available from Professor Alvaro Mata at Alvaro.Mata@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97th in the world and 17th in the UK by QS World University Rankingsthe University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience and we are proud to unlock the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which led us to establish campuses in China and Malaysia – part of a global connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham has been crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time he has been awarded the honor since 2018 – and by Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is one of the best universities in the UK for our research strength, seventh for research strength in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations are transforming lives and tackling global issues such as sustainable food supply, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport.
The university is a major employer and industry partner – locally and globally – and our graduates are the third most targeted by top UK employers, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We drive it Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a ground-breaking partnership between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of wellbeing, opportunity, sustainability, health and well-being for residents of the city and region we are proud to call home.
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