A recent study in Advanced Healthcare Materials reports a novel method for regenerating tooth enamel using water-based films made from keratin, a protein abundant in sources like wool. Researchers found that these keratin films can self-assemble into organized scaffolds that guide the growth of aligned apatite nanocrystals, mimicking natural enamel formation. When applied to artificially created early enamel lesions (white spot lesions), the keratin-based system was able to repair the damage, restoring both the tooth's optical appearance and its mechanical properties. Notably, the mechanical recovery was significant; nanoindentation tests showed the elastic modulus of damaged enamel increased from ~5 GPa back to ~53 GPa, and hardness recovered from ~0.1 GPa to over 1.0 GPa after treatment. These findings present a promising, simple, and potentially low-cost strategy for the clinical treatment of early dental caries.

Disclaimers:

• This information is for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical or dental advice.

• The study discussed was conducted in vitro (on extracted human teeth in a laboratory setting). Further research and human clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings and evaluate safety and efficacy.

• Always consult with a qualified dental professional before making any changes to your oral healthcare routine or treatment plan.

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#Keratin #EnamelRegeneration #Biomineralization #DentalResearch #RegenerativeDentistry

S. Gamea, E. Radvar, D. Athanasiadou, et al. “ Biomimetic Mineralization of Keratin Scaffolds for Enamel Regeneration.” Adv. Healthcare Mater. (2025): e02465. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202502465

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