Scientists from the University of Nottingham have developed a protein coating capable of restoring the mineral structure of damaged tooth enamel. This is reported by Science Daily, citing a study in the journal Nature Communications.
Enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, but once a tooth has formed, it cannot regenerate naturally. Its strength depends not only on its mineral composition but also on the precise arrangement of its crystals.
The new development is based on elastin-like protein molecules. They replicate the matrix that determines the direction of enamel growth during tooth formation. As a result, apatite crystals are arranged in the correct orientation and bond with the existing surface.
The experiments were carried out on samples of human teeth. The scientists succeeded in forming a mineralised layer up to 10 micrometres thick. The researchers tested its structure, mechanical properties, resistance to acids and to the stresses typical of everyday life.
The development has shown promise for restoring surfaces with varying degrees of erosion, including where dentine, the tissue beneath the enamel, is exposed. In future, this approach could be used to treat dental erosion and tooth sensitivity.
