NatCom: New Gel 'Grows' Tooth Enamel Without Fluoride

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a gel capable of regenerating tooth enamel directly on the tooth surface. The gel is based on proteins that mimic those involved in enamel formation in newborns, guiding the crystallization of minerals naturally present in saliva. The study was published in Nature Communications (NatCom).

Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, but it cannot regenerate on its own because it contains no living cells. Existing toothpastes and remineralization treatments deposit minerals onto the surface but do not recreate the highly ordered crystal structure of natural enamel. The new approach is fundamentally different.

The biomimetic proteins, developed in the laboratory of Professor Álvaro Mata at the University of Nottingham's Department of Biomedical Engineering, self-assemble into a matrix on the tooth surface. This matrix captures calcium and phosphate ions from saliva and directs them precisely to areas where the enamel structure has been damaged. As a result, mineralization occurs layer by layer, reproducing the crystallographic architecture of natural enamel.

"We have shown that it is possible to grow real enamel directly on the tooth—not merely apply a mineral coating, but recreate its hierarchical structure," explained postdoctoral researcher Abshar Hasan, the study's first author.

The regenerated material was tested under conditions designed to simulate real-life use, including chewing forces, toothbrushing, and exposure to acidic environments. In terms of hardness and crystal organization, the newly formed material proved comparable to natural tooth enamel.

The technology is fluoride-free and does not require specialized equipment. A startup, Mintech-Bio, has already been established to commercialize the innovation.