September 09, 2019
Anyone with a cavity in their teeth has lamented the inability of tooth enamel to regrow itself. Enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, made up of a complicated structure of minerals, which until now has been impossible to reproduce.
Researchers from Zhejiang University have had success producing tiny clusters of the main component of enamel, calcium phosphate. To prevent the clusters from clumping together, as had happened in previous studies, the team used a substance called triethylamine.
In the laboratory these clusters were then tested on acid damaged human teeth. It was observed that within 48 hours the clusters had formed a crystalline layer on the teeth, with the same structure of the natural enamel underneath. The repaired enamel was similar to natural, undamaged enamel in terms of strength and wear resistance. The team now plans to continue their research and hopes to progress to human trials in a year or two.
Source: The Guardian
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