Credit:
Kjerstin Michaela/Pixabay.com
Scientists have been working for years on a way to grow tooth enamel, and it seems like all of their hard work has paid off.
Enamel is the toughest tissue in our body but does not have the capability to self-repair. Scientists believe they have discovered a method in which the complex structure of enamel can be reproduced and potentially grow back. The materials to complete such a procedure are cheap and can be mass-produced. The idea was presented to dentists and they could see this becoming a reality soon.
Tooth decay is a common problem across the world, and as you may have experienced, it can be a real pain to get fixed. Materials such as resin, ceramics, metal alloys, and amalgam have all been used to repair tooth decay. Many of these materials don’t adhere well and lead to further problems down the road.
The solution to this problem seems to be uncovering a way to produce tiny clusters of calcium phosphate, which is the main component in enamel, which is far smaller than other materials that have been used. To do this, scientists would prepare clusters in a substance called triethylamine that would prevent any clumping from happening.
In order to test this procedure, scientists used crystalline hydroxyapatite, which resembles natural enamel. They saw that the clusters fused onto this material and developed a layer that was much tighter than any other created before. This is essential because it extends the underlying structure in a continuous manner rather than forming regions of crystalline.
The clusters were then applied to human teeth after being exposed to acid. Within 48 hours, the clusters had provided a boost to a crystalline layer. This repaired the enamel with the same kind of strength and resistance as an undamaged enamel.
Once this gets validated clinically, it could change the way billions of people affected by tooth decay deal with getting it fixed for good.
