An innovative gel that forms a layer over teeth and then recruits calcium and phosphate ions from saliva to build new enamel has the potential to change dental treatment. To date, we don't have any way to regenerate the tough outer layer of enamel on our teeth as it erodes with age.
  • AmidFuror@fedia.io
    112·
    23 hours ago

    The researchers used extracted human molars as an ex vivo model, first etching their enamel or dentine surfaces with acid to mimic different stages of tooth erosion. They then applied a single coating of the biomimetic elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) gel and let it dry. Finally, the teeth were immersed in carefully controlled mineralization baths that replicated the ionic environment of saliva.

    Keep in mind this hasn’t been shown to actually help teeth in someone’s mouth.

    • Gigasser@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      12 hours ago

      My guess is that they can slowly regrow lost enamel under fillings, slowly build back up later by layer until a filling is no longer needed. What would be amazing is a cure for gum disease.

      • mastertigurius@lemmy.worldEnglish
        6·
        11 hours ago

        To be fair, the research is on regenerating, not regrowing. I wouldn’t expect regrowing lost teeth to be possible any time soon, unless some kind of bio 3D-printing method became available.

        • deathbird@mander.xyzEnglish
          6·
          13 hours ago

          I definitely saw lots of ads on AliExpress for gels that would regrow your teeth before their algorithm realized I wasn’t there for that.