Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed a fluoride‑free, protein‑based gel that regenerates enamel‑like layers on teeth in ex vivo tests by mimicking natural growth processes. The study was published on November 4, 2025, in Nature Communications.
What the study found
Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering report a bioinspired, protein‑based gel that restores eroded or demineralized enamel in laboratory tests on human teeth. The material is fluoride‑free and was designed to imitate the proteins that guide enamel formation, with results published on November 4, 2025, in Nature Communications.
How it works
According to the university’s release and the peer‑reviewed paper, the gel forms a thin, robust coating that penetrates the tooth surface, filling microscopic cracks and pores. It then acts as a scaffold that captures calcium and phosphate ions from saliva and directs them to grow new mineral in the same crystallographic orientation as native enamel (epitaxial mineralization). The regenerated layer integrates with the underlying tooth structure, restoring enamel’s architecture and mechanical performance in lab testing.
Potential uses and limits
The team reports the material can also be applied to exposed dentine, creating an enamel‑like coating that may help reduce sensitivity and, the university says, improve bonding for restorations. Because mature enamel does not naturally regrow, current options largely focus on prevention or temporary protection; the authors suggest this approach could offer a more durable repair if future clinical translation succeeds.
What they said
Lead author Dr. Abshar Hasan, a postdoctoral fellow, said: “Dental enamel has a unique structure, which gives enamel its remarkable properties that protect our teeth throughout life against physical, chemical, and thermal insults. 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. We have tested the mechanical properties of these regenerated tissues under conditions simulating ‘real‑life situations’ such as tooth brushing, chewing, and exposure to acidic foods, and found that the regenerated enamel behaves just like healthy enamel.”
Professor Alvaro Mata, chair in biomedical engineering and biomaterials and the study’s lead investigator, said the technology “is safe, can be easily and rapidly applied, and it is scalable.” He added that the team has begun translation through its start‑up, Mintech‑Bio, and “hope to have a first product out by next year,” while emphasizing the platform’s versatility for patients with enamel loss or exposed dentine.
Why it matters
Enamel degradation contributes to tooth decay, a set of oral health problems that affect nearly half the global population. By recreating the structure and properties of healthy enamel in lab settings—and doing so without fluoride—the approach could broaden options for preventive and restorative care. Real‑world impact, however, will depend on successful product development and clinical adoption.