Enamel is one of the most important parts of your teeth. This hard (it’s the hardest tissue in the entire body!), outermost layer is your teeth’s first defense against plaque and other harmful bacteria. Up until now, it has been widely known that once your enamel is worn down, be it by lack of oral hygiene, poor diet, or genetics (or a combination of all three), it is impossible to rebuild it. But recently, scientists have discovered a way to actually regrow tooth enamel! Let’s take a look at the details behind this groundbreaking discovery.

The Discovery

According to the Sciences Advances journal, researchers in China have developed a gel that can actually create tooth enamel in just 48 hours—marking the first time that enamel has ever been reproduced. This is groundbreaking because enamel is what protects your teeth from harmful bacteria. When the enamel is worn down, it can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and finally, tooth loss.

The downside of this experiment was that scientists were only able to produce a very thin layer of enamel, but the researchers’ overall success is quite promising.

What Does This Mean for Dentistry?

When your dentist removes a cavity, they fill the area with resin or another hard material to protect the tooth from further damage. Fillings can come loose and need to be replaced over time. But if this gel can create enamel, it could be used for an even stronger, more permanent fillings! It could also help keep enamel stronger in order to prevent cavities in the first place. We’re excited to see where this discovery will lead us to and how dentists everywhere might be able to benefit from it!

Dental Technology at Middletown Commons Family Dental

Even though a commercial application for this gel is probably years away, modern fillings do indeed last for a very long time. At Middletown Commons Family Dental, we only offer the latest, state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge solutions for our patients, so you know that you are in for a long-lasting, effective treatment with us. Contact us to learn more about our various services and to schedule an appointment today!