We all have had to suffer tooth ache at least once in our lives. Being able to regrow teeth naturally have crossed our minds, at least when waiting at the dentist. Finally, scientists have been able to regenerate tooth enamel, thanks to experiments and research, which allowed them to create this gel.
Scientists who may have just found a solution, that will eliminate the need of tooth filling as a method to repair cavities.
What Are Our Teeth Made Of ?
Teeth are the hardest bone in the human body. However, due to sugary substances in food and beverages, they are object to decay. The mineralized substance protecting their surface is called enamel. When generated, the cells that produce enamel die instantly, and it erodes, breaks, or chips, and can never regenerate itself again.
What Happens When We Get Cavities?
Cavities form when the hard part of the tooth decays. This means that the residuals of food mixed with saliva, form plaque when teeth are not brushed well. This sticky film slowly eats the enamel of the teeth away, and causes holes that are known as cavities.
It is important to note that cavities are permanent damage to teeth. The hole they create does not generate itself, and can not be regrown. What dentists do is that they clean the damaged area, then fill it with a composite resin.
How Will This Gel Regrow Tooth Enamel?
Chinese scientists have been developing a gel that could regrow teeth enamel. Although on paper this sounds highly unlikely, according to the experiments they have conducted, we may actually be in front of a genius discovery.
Supposedly, this gel gets the enamel to repair itself. It is made to replicate the biomineralization process whereby cells known as ameloblasts release proteins that eventually become enamel.
What Could Be the Result of This Discovery?
Although this gel has only been tested on human teeth donated by patients, researchers from Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China did operate on simulated mouth-like environment. The results have shown the creation of a hard, thick repaired layer where the gel was placed on the damaged tooth, within 48 hours.
The medical and dental community say they are very excited about this gel. Although regular adult teeth will never be put back to its original state, this gel may just be the discovery of the century.
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