Old teeth get new life?
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Scientists from the University of Nottingham, along with international researchers, have developed what they describe as a huge breakthrough, creating a protein-based gel that can not only strengthen existing enamel but actually rebuild it. When applied to teeth, much like common fluoride treatment in the dentist's chair, it forms a thin layer that seeps into the bone to patch up any holes or cracks. But then it also forms a type of scaffolding that attracts those other ions, which promotes further mineral "growth" through a process known as epitaxial mineralization. The new mineral deposits fuse with existing tissue to form what is essentially new enamel.
"Dental enamel has a unique structure, which gives enamel its remarkable properties that protect our teeth throughout life against physical, chemical, and thermal insults," said lead author Dr. Abshar Hasan, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Nottingham. "When our material is applied to demineralized or eroded enamel, or exposed dentine, the material promotes the growth of crystals in an integrated and organized manner, recovering the architecture of our natural healthy enamel."
https://newatlas.com/medical/protein-gel-rebuilds-tooth-enamel/
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Great news.
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