Keratin-based material studied in enamel regeneration

Researchers have conducted laboratory studies to demonstrate the potential for water-based keratin to repair demineralized enamel.

In a study published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the researchers used a water-based keratin film to help guide the ordered growth of enamel-like apatite nanocrystals. The technique utilized disulfide bridging to form fibrous organic network, a beta sheet-based birefringent spherulitic construction as well as rearrangement of the secondary structures into alpha helices during mineralization. The researchers discovered that the novel material could help restore the appearance and mechanical function of dental enamel in early defective lesions.

The researchers encouraged additional in vitro and subsequent in vivo studies to examine the application of keratin in dental tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Read more: Advanced Healthcare Materials

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