Researchers have developed a gel that uses saliva-like properties to repair and regenerate tooth enamel, potentially preventing painful cavities. The innovation could offer a new alternative to traditional dental fillings. Clinical trials are planned for early next year.
Tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, serves as the primary defense against wear, acids, and bacteria. Once damaged, it does not regenerate naturally, leading to accelerated decay and cavities that often require fillings. Current treatments, such as fluoride varnishes and remineralization solutions, merely slow the progression without restoring the enamel.
Alvaro Mata at the University of Nottingham, UK, and his team have created a gel containing a modified protein designed to mimic amelogenin, which guides enamel formation during infancy. In experiments, the gel was applied to human teeth under a microscope in solutions rich in calcium and phosphate—the key components of enamel. It formed a thin, robust layer that adhered for weeks, even under brushing.
The gel fills cracks and holes, acting as a scaffold that promotes organized crystal growth beneath it. This process works even when enamel is severely eroded, exposing the underlying dentine. "The gel was able to grow crystals epitaxially, which means it’s in the same crystallographic orientation as existing enamel," Mata explained. The new layer, up to 10 micrometers thick, integrates seamlessly with natural tissue and forms within a week. The approach also succeeded using donated saliva, which naturally supplies calcium and phosphate.
A 2019 study reported a similar method, but it yielded thinner coatings and only partial recovery of enamel structure. Mata's innovation addresses these limitations. The research appears in Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64982-y). Mata has founded Mintech-Bio and anticipates a commercial product by late 2026 for dental use. "Enamel is the first line of defence. Once that line of defence starts to break down, tooth decay becomes accelerated," Mata noted.