Scientists invent a material that mimics how tooth enamel naturally grows inside the person's mouth. This breakthrough promises treatment to tooth decay and dentin hypersensitivity.
The material was created by combining a specific protein substance that stimulates and directs the multiple growths of another substance called apatite nanocrystals. This whole process of growing the apatite nanocrystals is similar to how the same crystals expand when dental enamel develops in the mouth.
Mineralization Proces Of Apatite Nanocrystals
The proponents of the experiment said mimicking the mineralization process of the apatite nanocrystals ensured that the regenerated tooth enamel possesses all the physical properties that are also present in real and authentic dental enamel.
The scientists who developed the new material hope that they could someday mimic how dentin and bones grow in the body. If achieved, their breakthrough discovery could have bigger applications in regenerative medicine.
Tooth Enamel
Enamel, which can be found on teeth's outer layer, is the hardest tissue in the body. It can endure years of biting, exposure to acidic foods and drinks, and change in temperature. As much as it is the hardest tissue in the body, the enamel, however, cannot regenerate on its own when it is broken.
Broken enamel results to tooth decay, tooth loss, or teeth hypersensitivity. According to the study, 50 percent of the world's population is suffering from these teeth problems. For this reason, the dental industry has long been looking for ways to recreate enamel.
Dr. Sherif Elsharkawy, a dentist from Queen Mary's School of Engineering and Materials Science and first author of the study says the invention of the new material is, therefore, "exciting" for the dental industry. The invention detailed in Nature Communications could pave the way for more practical discovery.
"For example, we could develop acid resistant bandages that can infiltrate, mineralize, and shield exposed dentinal tubules of human teeth for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity," Elsharkawy said.
Tooth Hypersensitivity
Each of the teeth has dentin that protects the nerves. The dentin contains pores or tubes connected from the external part of the tooth to the nerve in the center.
Loss of the enamel or recession of the gums could result in exposed teeth dentin. The dentin exposure leads to that abrupt but painful tooth sensation when eating or drinking extremely cold or hot food and beverages.
Tooth Decay In The United States
Tooth decay, even if it is preventable, remains to be the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Statistical data from NHANES said 42 percent of children aged 2 to 11 have tooth decay in their baby teeth. Also, 23 percent of this age group has untreated dental problems.
For adolescents aged 12 to 19, 59 percent have tooth decay and 20 percent have untreated decay. Meanwhile, 92 percent of adults aged 20 to 64 have tooth decay in their permanent teeth while 26 percent have untreated decay.
For seniors aged 65 and above, 93 percent have tooth decay in their permanent teeth and 18 percent have untreated teeth problems.
Achievement In The Field Of Material Science
Alvaro Mata, the lead author of the study, said the invention also met a major goal for experts in the field of material science. He explained that material scientists have always yearned to develop practical inventions through precisely mimicking how molecules behave. This recent invention achieved that purpose.
"Through this, we have developed a technique to easily grow synthetic materials that emulate such hierarchically organized architecture over large areas and with the capacity to tune their properties," Mata said.
