Scientists develop materials that can regenerate tooth enamel

A team of researchers at Queen Mary University, London (UK) has found a way to develop mineralized materials capable of regenerating hard tissues such as tooth enamel and bone.

is the outer layer, covering the teeth, protecting dentin and inner nerves. Enamel is the hardest bone tissue, difficult to be affected in the body, allowing teeth to work and withstand continuous pressure from chewing, biting, grinding, grinding or contacting foods and drinks High acidity and erratic hot and cold temperatures in most of the time in each person's life. This remarkable advantage is due to the highly organized structure of tooth enamel.

However, unlike other body tissues, enamel is not able to regenerate or recover once it is damaged, thereby leading to pain, sensitivity and even abrasion and loss. teeth. Dental problems affect the quality and life of more than 50% of the world's population, so finding dental enamel has long been an urgent need in the dental field. .

New materials can be used in the treatment of a variety of dental complications.

The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that a new approach can create materials with superior precision and order as well as tooth enamel-like structure and activity.

The new material can be used in the treatment of a variety of dental complications such as the prevention and treatment of tooth decay or the sensitivity of teeth, also known as dentin hypersensitivity.

Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy, Queen Mary School of Engineering and Materials, the dentist and first author of the study, said: 'This is interesting because of the simplicity and versatility of the open mineralization platform. offer opportunities in the treatment and regeneration of dental tissue. We can develop an acid-resistant bandage that can penetrate, mineralize, and shield unprotected dental tubes to treat dentin hypersensitivity. "

The mechanism was developed based on a specific protein material capable of activating and guiding the development of apatite nanocrystals in tartar, similar to the way these crystals grow when fermented. teeth grow in the human body. Structure organization plays an important role for the outstanding physical properties of natural tooth enamel.

Professor Alvaro Mata, of the Queen Mary School of Materials and Science, and head of research, said: 'The main goal in material science is to learn from nature to develop materials. Useful based on precise adjustment and control of molecular building blocks. Therefore, we have found a solution to easily develop hierarchically organized structural simulation materials in large, adjustable areas. their attributes ".

The ability to control the mineralization process allows the creation of materials that mimic hard tissues other than enamel such as bones and dentin. Thus, the study has the potential to be used in a wide range of regenerative medicine applications. In addition, the study provides detailed information about the role of protein metabolism disorders in human physiology and pathology.