A new dental gel may be able to grow back missing tooth enamel. This could give dentists a fresh way to stop cavities and fix worn teeth.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham copied the way enamel forms naturally in babies. Their study, published in Nature Communications, shows the gel can repair enamel that has lost minerals, strengthen healthy enamel, and shield teeth from future damage.
A Gel That Grows Enamel Like Nature Does
Doctors could put the gel on teeth the same way they use fluoride today, but the gel does not contain any fluoride. Instead, it uses special proteins that act like the proteins that build enamel when we are infants.
When the gel sits on a tooth, it creates a thin, strong layer that seeps into tiny cracks and pores. This layer becomes a scaffold for new mineral crystals.
The gel pulls calcium and phosphate from saliva and arranges them into crystal structures that line up with the tooth’s existing enamel. This method is called epitaxial mineralization. Because the new crystals line up correctly, they bond well with the natural tooth instead of forming a loose coating.
The scientists say this organized growth restores both the tiny architecture and the strength of healthy enamel.
Help for Sensitive Teeth
The gel may also help people whose dentine is exposed. Dentine lies under enamel and contains tiny channels that lead to the nerve. When enamel wears away or gums pull back, these channels can cause sharp pain to hot, cold, sweet, or pressure.
Applying the gel to exposed dentine creates a mineral layer that acts like enamel. This can lower sensitivity and give a tougher surface for fillings to stick to.
Why Enamel Damage Is Hard to Fix
About half of the world’s people have enamel loss, which leads to cavities and other dental problems. Bad teeth can cause pain, infections, and even tooth loss. Poor oral health is also linked to diseases such as diabetes and heart problems.
Enamel is the hardest part of the body, protecting teeth from pressure, temperature changes, acids, and wear. However, enamel has no living cells, so once it’s gone, it cannot grow back on its own.
Current products like fluoride varnish can strengthen what’s left, but they cannot rebuild the original enamel structure. The Nottingham gel aims to do just that by guiding mineral growth that looks just like natural enamel.
Regrown Enamel Stands Up to Everyday Use
In the lab, scientists tested the new enamel under conditions that mimic daily brushing, chewing, and exposure to acidic foods. The repaired enamel behaved much like real, healthy enamel, showing that it could be strong enough for everyday use.
Moving Toward Real‑World Products
Professor Álvaro Mata, who led the research, said the gel is safe, quick to apply, and can be made in large amounts. He added that the technology can be turned into many types of dental products for people of all ages.
The team has started a company called Mintech‑Bio to turn the gel into a market product. They hope to have a first dental treatment ready next year, which could help patients worldwide.