28/08/2026
A new protein-based gel can regenerate tooth enamel
For generations, dental patients have faced a frustrating reality: once tooth enamel is lost, the body cannot naturally replace it. Now, researchers have developed a protein-based gel that could potentially change how damaged enamel is repaired.
An international research team led by scientists at the University of Nottingham has developed a biomimetic gel designed to repair and regenerate damaged tooth enamel. Published in Nature Communications, the fluoride-free treatment uses lab-engineered proteins to mimic the natural process through which enamel develops during infancy.
When applied to the tooth, the gel forms a microscopic scaffold that attracts calcium and phosphate ions from saliva. These minerals gradually build a new layer of enamel-like material that integrates with the tooth's existing structure.
The technology could eventually offer a minimally invasive alternative to conventional fillings and crowns, which restore the shape and function of damaged teeth but do not regenerate the original enamel. Clinical trials for the biocompatible gel are slated to begin this year, while the research team is collaborating with spin-off company Mintech-Bio with the goal of developing a commercial product as early as next year.
If successful, this regenerative approach could provide a new way to address acid erosion and early-stage enamel damage, potentially changing how some forms of tooth damage are treated in the future.
Source: Hasan, A., et al. Biomimetic supramolecular protein matrix restores structure and properties of human dental enamel. Nature Communications, 16(1), 9434.
