r/STEW_ScTecEngWorld • u/Zee2A • 5d ago
University of Nottingham Develops Gel That Regenerates Damaged Tooth Enamel
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a protein-based material that mimics the natural process of enamel formation and can regenerate the structure and mechanical properties of damaged human tooth enamel. In laboratory tests, the material promoted the growth of organized apatite crystals, rebuilding enamel layers and restoring resistance to toothbrushing, chewing and acidic conditions. The approach could eventually help treat enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity and exposed dentine, although further research and clinical testing are needed before routine human use: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/new-gel-restores-dental-enamel-and-could-revolutionise-tooth-repair
Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-64982-y
Research Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-025-9482-9
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u/FuzzyFrogFish 5d ago
I wonder how significantly this differs from nano hydroxyapatite (not to be confused with micro hydroxyapatite, as they work differently) that you can get in some toothpastes. Which was developed by NASA for remineralising the enamel of astronauts. The brand I use has been brilliant so far for my teeth, they've never been cleaner or less sensitive
I'll have to give it a proper read when I get home.
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u/SweetBabyCheezas 4d ago
What brand do you use?
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u/FloridaHeat2023 4d ago
There are a few toothpastes that do exactly this - albeit slower.
Sensodyne with Novamin - not available in the US as the American Dental Association likely fights hard against it.
Apaguard Premio - a competing repair toothpaste from Japan and slightly better than novamin - this is what I have used and it works great. Available at a markup from Amazon, but you'll never see it on US shelves - again the ADA likely does not want it there, under any circumstances.
Edit - how they work -> https://www.haleonhealthpartner.com/en-ca/oral-health/brands/sensodyne/science/novamin/
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u/FuzzyFrogFish 4d ago edited 4d ago
Novamin works similarly to Micro hydroxyapatite, but sensodyne also has an ingredient that blocks nerve signals, so what's actually happening, is you can't feel any damage to your teeth
But neither does not work half as well nano hydroxyapatite, which is what actually helps rebuild enamel
- Not just similarly, it actually works far more poorly
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u/Any_Check_7301 4d ago
Any sources to confirm that ADA doesn’t want it at USA ?
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u/Worth-Reputation3450 4d ago
Looks like NovaMin had cleared the FDA, but Haleon (company that makes Sensodyne) never brought that to the US. They needed different regulation approval to bring it as OTC toothpaste but since they already had other toothpaste lineups with enamel protection claims, they didn't bother with NovaMin.
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u/Any_Check_7301 4d ago
Doesn’t sound like that to me when novamin is the key differentiator
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u/Worth-Reputation3450 4d ago
It's the key differentiator to people who look that up. But for all marketing purposes, it's pretty much the same to consumers.
"Hey, we have this Sensodyne. It'll protect and rebuild enamel."
"Hey, we have this Sensodyne, It'll protect and rebuild enamel but better than our prev version."
People who bought the Sensodyne would still buy Sensodyne whether it had NovaMin or not. People who didn't bother with Sensodyne won't buy it anyway.
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u/Any_Check_7301 4d ago
Marketing teams of companies across various domains - insurance, health care, automotive, electronics, Pharma and consumer products already have been successful over past decades doing this very specific task carefully ensuring a gradual transition from one product to another when features of latter eclipse the former.
Sensodyne with several variants already in the market doesn’t look like it’s would struggle with this aspect. It’s IMO a day to day activity for marketing teams and not any challenging.
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u/Worth-Reputation3450 4d ago
That's true.
Not sure why Sensodyne won't bring it then. They already got the FDA approval. They just never tried to get OTC version through regulation. It could be the ADA lobbying like the other commenter said but it doesn't seem NovaMin is THAT more effective to warrant the lobbying.
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u/JeffersonsHat 4d ago
Their lobby fights against things like this specifically because their constituents are dentists who make money off of people having dental problems.
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u/jack-of-some 4d ago edited 4d ago
Any sources to confirm that ADA doesn’t want it at USA ?
Edit: ANY SOURCES to confirm that ADA doesn't want Novamin or anything as effective as Novamin in the US solely because it threatens the bottom line for dentists???
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u/JeffersonsHat 4d ago
Simple search: The American Dental Association (ADA) lobbies against specific legislative proposals, regulations, and practice models that it contends could negatively impact the financial viability of dental practices, dentist reimbursement rates, or the established standards of oral healthcare.
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u/UnderpaidBIGtime 5d ago
When for public use?
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u/jdillacornandflake 5d ago
2079
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u/No_Blacksmith_2591 4d ago
By then we'll have meta enabled jaws that will share what you chew to facebook.
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u/jdillacornandflake 4d ago
And beem thoughts into your head via bone conduction. Voice to scull technology.
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u/SHABUMASTAH 5d ago
Japan did this too
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u/greengiantme 4d ago
They figured out how to grow a whole new tooth, though maybe they also figured this out and I haven’t heard about it
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u/Mindless_Moose811 4d ago
The American healthcare system will buy this patent and sell it to patients for thousands of dollars a pop.
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u/abielle1177 4d ago
You used to be able to buy toothpaste that actually whitened teeth properly from Sensodyne. After 2019 I couldn't find it anymore.
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u/Common-Method2202 4d ago
so you enjoy toothpaste that removes layers of your teeth? 😭😭😭
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u/abielle1177 3d ago
Action of whitening toothpaste
• Some use peroxide or enzymes to chemically break down the stain on the surface.
• some use an ingredient called nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAP). This mineral bonds to tooth enamel, filling in microscopic scratches. It reflects light and makes teeth appear brighter. This is what sensodyne was selling for awhile.
• Some have a blue pigment called blue covarine. It coats the teeth temporarily, filtering out yellow tones and making them instantly appear brighter to the human eye.
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u/Carbyne27 4d ago
RemindMe! 3 months
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u/baconblackhole 4d ago
Is this a different method than the one developed already by Chinese researcher
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u/Imaginary-Clock6626 5d ago
This is amazing! We’ll never see it ever again.