Biomimetic supramolecular protein matrix restores structure and properties of human dental enamel

Abshar Hasan, Andrey Chuvilin, Alexander Teijlingen, Helena Rouco, Christopher Parmenter, Federico Venturi, Michael Fay, Gabriele Greco, Nicola M. Pugno, Jan Ruben, Charlotte J. C. Edwards-Gayle, Benjamin Myers, Ingrid Dreveny, Nathan Cowieson, Adam Winter, Sara Gamea, X. Frank Walboomers, Tanvir Hussain, José Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello, Frankie Rawson, Tell Tuttle, Sherif Elsharkawy, Avijit Banerjee, Stefan Habelitz and Alvaro Mata ()
Additional contact information
Abshar Hasan: University of Nottingham
Andrey Chuvilin: Av. de Tolosa 76
Alexander Teijlingen: University of Strathclyde
Helena Rouco: University of Nottingham
Christopher Parmenter: University of Nottingham
Federico Venturi: University of Nottingham
Michael Fay: University of Nottingham
Gabriele Greco: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Nicola M. Pugno: University of Trento
Jan Ruben: Radboud University Medical Centre
Charlotte J. C. Edwards-Gayle: Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Benjamin Myers: University of Nottingham
Ingrid Dreveny: University of Nottingham
Nathan Cowieson: Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Adam Winter: 359 Nuthall Road
Sara Gamea: King’s College London
X. Frank Walboomers: Radboud University Medical Centre
Tanvir Hussain: University of Nottingham
José Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello: CIBER-BBN
Frankie Rawson: University of Nottingham
Tell Tuttle: University of Strathclyde
Sherif Elsharkawy: King’s College London
Avijit Banerjee: King’s College London
Stefan Habelitz: University of California
Alvaro Mata: University of Nottingham

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract Tooth enamel is characterised by an intricate hierarchical organization of apatite nanocrystals that bestows high stiffness, hardness, and fracture toughness. However, enamel does not possess the ability to regenerate, and achieving the artificial restoration of its microstructure and mechanical properties in clinical settings has proven challenging. To tackle this issue, we engineer a tuneable and resilient supramolecular matrix based on elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs) that imitates the structure and function of the enamel-developing matrix. When applied as a coating on the surface of teeth exhibiting different levels of erosion, the matrix is stable and can trigger epitaxial growth of apatite nanocrystals, recreating the microarchitecture of the different anatomical regions of enamel and restoring the mechanical properties. The study demonstrates the translational potential of our mineralising technology for treating loss of enamel in clinical settings such as the treatment of enamel erosion and dental hypersensitivity.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64982-y

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