New Protein Gel May Make Tooth Enamel Regrowth a Reality

For the first time, scientists may have found a practical way to regrow tooth enamel — something the human body cannot do on its own once it is lost. Researchers at the University of Nottingham created a protein-based gel that mimics the biological processes responsible for forming enamel during early childhood, working with the tooth's own environment rather than simply coating its surface.

When applied to a damaged tooth, the gel forms a thin, structured coating that penetrates microscopic cracks and gaps. It then acts as a scaffold, attracting calcium and phosphate ions that are already present in saliva and organizing them into new mineral crystals. Scientists call this process epitaxial mineralization — the new crystals grow in orderly alignment with the existing enamel, integrating structurally with the tooth rather than sitting on top of it. The gel contains no fluoride.

Beyond enamel repair, the material may also benefit patients with tooth sensitivity. When enamel wears down or gums recede, the softer dentine layer beneath becomes exposed, transmitting sensations — heat, cold, sweetness, or acid — directly to the tooth's nerves. The gel appears capable of encouraging an enamel-like protective layer to form over exposed dentine, potentially reducing that discomfort and improving the adhesion of fillings.

Human clinical trials, sponsored by Mintech-Bio Ltd (a University of Nottingham spin-off) in partnership with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, are now in progress. Researchers are testing the gel against an established remineralization product to compare outcomes on early enamel lesions. While the laboratory results are encouraging, clinicians caution that real-world safety and effectiveness data from these trials will be needed before the gel could be approved for routine dental use.