Gel That Restores Tooth Enamel Could Help Prevent Decay

Enamel shields teeth from harm, yet can be easily compromised

Agrobacter/Getty Images

The gel incorporates compounds found in saliva to aid in the repair and regeneration of tooth enamel while preventing cavity formation that necessitates fillings.

Enamel, the tough and glossy outer layer of teeth, safeguards the sensitive inner part from wear, acids, and bacteria. “Enamel serves as your initial defense; when it starts to deteriorate, tooth decay accelerates,” explains Dr. Alvaro Mata from the University of Nottingham, UK. Since enamel does not self-repair, methods like fluoride varnishes and remineralizing treatments merely prevent further deterioration.

In search of a solution, Mata and his team engineered a gel that contains a modified protein designed to mimic amelogenin, which is vital for enamel growth in early development.

Tests revealed that applying the gel to human teeth under a microscope in a calcium and phosphate solution—the essential components of enamel—yielded a thin, robust layer that persisted for weeks, even during brushing.

This gel establishes a framework that utilizes calcium and phosphate to fill imperfections and encourage the organized development of new crystals in the enamel beneath the gel layer, even if a significant portion of the dentin is exposed.

“The gel successfully grew crystals epitaxially, meaning it mirrored the crystal orientation of the existing enamel,” Mata states.

This alignment allows the new growth, achieving thicknesses of up to 10 micrometers, to integrate with the underlying natural tissue, reconstructing both the structure and functionality of the enamel. “Growth occurs within a week,” remarks Mata. The method proved effective not only with the specific solution employed but also with donated saliva, which naturally contains calcium and phosphate.

Electron microscopy images of a demineralized tooth showcasing eroded crystals (left) and a similar tooth after two weeks of gel treatment that reveals epitaxially regenerated enamel crystals (right)

Professor Alvaro Mata, University of Nottingham

A comparable approach was noted in 2019, but it resulted in a thinner coating, only partially restoring the inner enamel structure.

Clinical trials on humans are set to commence early next year. Mata is also establishing a company named Mintech-Bio, hoping to launch its first product by late 2026 for use by dentists.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Uncover Mesozoic Carbon Dioxide Levels and Photosynthesis Through Dinosaur Tooth Enamel Analysis

During the Mesozoic era, from 252 to 66 million years ago, analyses of the oxygen isotope composition in dinosaur teeth revealed that the atmosphere contained significantly more carbon dioxide than it does today, with global plant photosynthesis levels roughly double those of the present.



Fossil teeth of Camarasaurus from the Morrison Formation in the US. Image credit: sauriermuseum aathal.

A study conducted by Göttingen University and researcher Dr. Dingsu Feng examined the dental enamel of dinosaurs that roamed North America, Africa, and Europe during the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous periods.

“Enamel is one of the most stable biological materials,” they explained.

“It captures different oxygen isotopes based on the air dinosaurs inhaled with each breath.”

“The isotope ratios of oxygen reflect fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide and plant photosynthesis.”

“This connection allows us to infer insights about the climate and vegetation of the dinosaur era.”

“During the late Jurassic, about 150 million years ago, the air contained four times more carbon dioxide than before industrialization, prior to significant human emissions of greenhouse gases.”

“In the late Cretaceous, around 730 to 66 million years ago, carbon dioxide levels were three times higher than today.”

Teeth from two dinosaur species, the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Kaatedocus siberi, showed an exceptionally unique oxygen isotope composition.

This phenomenon is indicative of carbon dioxide spikes linked to major geological events like volcanic eruptions—such as the massive eruption of the Deccan Traps in India at the close of the Cretaceous period.

The heightened photosynthetic activity of plants at that time on both land and water is likely associated with elevated carbon dioxide levels and higher average annual temperatures.

This research marks a milestone in paleoclimatology. Historically, soil and marine proxy carbonates have served as the primary tools for reconstructing past climates.

Marine proxies, which are indicators of sediment fossils and chemical signatures, help scientists comprehend ancient marine environmental conditions, yet these methods often involve uncertainties.

“Our approach offers a fresh perspective on the planet’s history,” Dr. Fenn remarked.

“It paves the way to use fossilized tooth enamel for probing the composition of Earth’s atmosphere and plant productivity during that era.”

“Understanding these factors is crucial for grasping long-term climate dynamics.”

“Dinosaurs may well become new climate scientists, as their teeth have recorded climate data for over 150 million years. At last, we have received their message.”

Study published on August 4, 2025, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Dingsu Feng et al. 2025. Mesozoic Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations reconstructed from the enamel of dinosaur teeth. PNAS 122 (33): E2504324122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2504324122

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Discover Ancient Proteins in Mammalian Tooth Enamel from 18 Million Years Ago

Researchers have identified protein sequences within the dense enamel tissues of ancient nasal cavities and materials collected from the Burg and Lopelot sites in the Turkana Basin, Kenya.

The Turkana Basin within the East African lift system preserves fossil communities dating back more than 66 million years. Green et al. Powder samples were collected for paleontological skin analysis from the early Pleistocene back to the Oligocene (29 million years ago) from large herbivores. Image credit: Green et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9.

“Teeth are the rocks in our mouths,” stated Dr. Daniel Green, a researcher at Harvard and Columbia University.

“They represent the most complex structures created by animals; hence, it’s possible to find teeth that are 100 million years old, offering geochemical records of animal life.”

“This includes insights into their diets, hydration, and habitats.”

“Previously, we believed that mature enamel, being the hardest part of teeth, should contain very little protein.”

Yet, by employing a novel proteomic technique known as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the researchers uncovered remarkable protein diversity in various biological tissues.

“The method comprises multiple stages where peptides are sorted according to size or chemistry, enabling detailed sequential analysis at unprecedented resolution,” explains Dr. Kevin Uno from Harvard and Columbia University.

“Recent findings indicate that there are dozens, potentially hundreds, of different proteins present in tooth enamel,” remarked Dr. Green.

Recognizing that many proteins exist in modern teeth, researchers pivoted towards studying fossils of nasal mesentery and related materials.

As herbivores, these creatures exhibited large teeth to crush their plant-based diets.

“These mammals could have enamels measuring 2-3 millimeters in thickness, providing ample material for investigation,” Dr. Green noted.

“Our discovery — peptide fragments and amino acid chains representing proteins spanning around 18 million years — stands to transform the field.”

“No one has previously identified peptide fragments of such antiquity.”

The oldest published findings to date date back around 3.5 million years.

“The newly identified peptides encompass a diverse array of proteins, representing what is known as the proteome,” Dr. Green remarked.

“One reason we are thrilled about these ancient teeth is that we lack a complete proteome for all proteins that could potentially be extracted from the bodies of these extinct elephants and rhinos, yet we can identify distinct groups.”

“Such collections could yield more information from these groups than from a single protein alone.”

“This research opens a new chapter for paleontology, enabling scientists to reconstruct the molecular and physiological traits of extinct species, moving beyond just bones and morphology,” stated Dr. Emmanuel Nudiemma, a researcher at the National Museum of Kenya.

“These peptide fragments can be utilized to delve into the relationships among ancient animals, much like contemporary methods that map human DNA relations.”

“Though a few animals analyzed in studies are completely extinct without living descendants, in theory, proteins could be extracted from their teeth and added to a phylogenetic tree,” Dr. Green elaborated.

“This information may clarify long-standing debates among paleontologists concerning the relationships among various mammalian lineages, utilizing molecular evidence.”

Survey results Today, I will be featured in the journal Nature.

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Dr. Green et al. Diverse enamel proteomes from rifts of East Africa over 108 million years. Nature Published online on July 9, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Enamel Proteins Uncover Biological and Genetic Diversity in Paranthropus robustus

Paranthropus robustus is a well-documented species within the Hominin group that has yet to be associated with genetic evidence. This species thrived in what is now South Africa between 2 million and 1.2 million years ago. In a recent study, paleontologists extracted enamel protein sequences from a dental specimen, believed to be 2 million years old, discovered at the Swartkrans site in South Africa. The results indicate a greater diversity than previously recognized for Paranthropus robustus and support the potential existence of multiple species within the genus.

Paranthropus Boisei. Image credit: ©Roman Yevseyev.

Advancements in ancient DNA (aDNA) sequencing have provided essential insights into the evolutionary connections among mid- to late Pleistocene hominins. However, our understanding of the earlier Pliocene-Pleistocene species, including Paranthropus robustus, remains limited.

This limitation is primarily due to the poor preservation of aDNA in African hominin fossils older than 20,000 years.

Paranthropus robustus has traditionally been regarded as a singular evolutionary line.

Yet, morphological overlaps between Paranthropus robustus and Australopithecus raise questions about their possible evolutionary links.

Moreover, variations in dental morphology suggest either an undiscovered diversity within Paranthropus robustus or the existence of multiple distinct species.

In this study, researchers from the University of Copenhagen, the University of Cape Town, and Dr. Paresa Madupe employed more durable ancient proteins to explore the variation within this ancient human species.

Four tooth enamel proteins were analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry and paleontological techniques, focusing on Paranthropus robustus fossils from the Swartkrans cave.

These specimens, dating from 2.2 to 1.8 million years ago, are among the earliest known hominins.

Molecular analysis of the protein sequences revealed significant variation at the molecular level among Paranthropus robustus individuals, including evidence from both male and female fossils, challenging the reliability of tooth size as a sole indicator of sexual dimorphism and suggesting that this variance cannot be attributed exclusively to sexual differences.

Notably, one individual appears to be genetically distinct from the others, highlighting considerable intraspecies variability within Paranthropus robustus.

The results align with recent morphological evidence, indicating previously unrecognized taxonomic diversity within the genus, including the proposed species Paranthropus capensis.

“Our study illustrates how paleobiological traits can assist in distinguishing sexual dimorphism from other forms of variation in the early Pleistocene human lineage in Africa,” the authors concluded.

The study is published in the journal Science.

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Paresa P. Madupe et al. 2025. Enamel proteins reveal biological and genetic variation in southern Africa Paranthropus robustus. Science 388 (6750): 969-973; doi: 10.1126/science.adt953

Source: www.sci.news

Tiny proteins that repair tooth enamel

Over 50% of the world’s population experiences at least one cavity in childhood, increasing to over 90% in adults. Using a fluoride gagging agent, brushing and flossing twice daily and getting fillings as needed is a standard practice to maintain good dental hygiene. Still, dentists fill more than 100 million cavities around the world each year, on average. What if there is a way to prevent it? and Reverse cavity? Dental researchers recently tested a new method of restoring the structure of teeth before major damage occurs.

Our teeth are made up of minerals made up of calcium and phosphates. When the acids and bacteria in our mouth break down these minerals, our teeth experience Demineralisation. When dechlorination drills holes in the protective layer outside the tooth, a cavity forms; enamel. If left untreated, these holes will deepen and slowly collapse over time the enamel and remaining teeth.

Brushing teeth and using mouthwash can clean acids and bacteria from the mouth to prevent the initial cavity, but dental researchers want to demineralize and therefore reverse the cavity. Tooth-like minerals line themselves up in shapes similar to snowflakes and diamonds. Crystal-like structure. They also tend to complete their own patterns by fusing firmly with the surrounding minerals. Therefore, researchers hope to use this natural process to reconstruct dental minerals into their crystal-like structures.

One way to encourage scientists to begin reconstructing teeth is to use small chains of molecules that form proteins. peptide. Scientists use a specific peptide called An Enamel-binding peptide Or EBP can help bind calcium and phosphate to crystallize. When you soak your teeth in a container filled with EBP, the minerals bind to it. Minerals from the solution do not stick to the teeth without EBPS. This makes these peptides an important component in crystal growth.

This knowledge led Japanese researchers to bind teeth with minerals, assuming that they could be soaked in EBP called wgnyayk and immersed in calcium and phosphate solutions. If this process works, build or effectively return the hard surface of the teeth. reminderalize Its enamel.

To test this idea, the researchers acquired 30 cow teeth and randomly separated them into three groups. They degrined the enamel of each tooth by placing it in a solution containing acetic acid at a pH of 4.5 for 7-9 days to mimic how natural tooth enamel fades. After this process, the scientists coated two groups of teeth with wgnyayk peptides and did not leave the other groups. They immersed them in a remineralization solution containing monopotasium phosphate and buffer at a pH of 7. The researchers also added a green pigment to the solution that brightens and brightens the harder the enamel surface. The more dense the minerals, the more intense the enamel and brighten the teeth.

Scientists analyzed teeth soaked in WGNYAYK peptide solution under a laser microscope. They found that the higher the concentration of the peptide solution that had soaked in the teeth, the brighter fluorescent green. They explained that this correlation means that the combination of peptide and mineral baths partially restored tooth enamel.

The researchers considered their experiment a success because the EBP they tested promoted dental remineralization. Next, they are trying to create a local application of this EBP for clinical research. They warned that before this EBP is brought to trial in humans, scientists should investigate the composition and potential adverse effects of reinserted teeth. Still, the researchers concluded that their success was a step in the right direction for dentistry. Future testing will check whether EBP treatment is effective in human teeth as well as in cow teeth.


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Source: sciworthy.com