A team of researchers in Russia and Egypt at the Ural Federal University created an artificial enamel replacement that rivals, and surpasses, the strength of natural enamel. The artificial enamel is created using hydroxyapatite compound as its basis. Hydroxyapatite is a common component found in bone tissue and other mineralized tissues, meaning it is naturally strong and durable.
The hydroxyapatite compound was placed through a number of tests that exposed it to amino acids to test its efficacy when compared to natural enamel. The explicit details surrounding the testing, components, and manufacturing process can be found in an academic journal published by the university. However, the research concluded that this artificial enamel is stronger than natural enamel, with the study author Pavel Seredin stating: “We also found out that the designed layer of hydroxyapatite has increased nanohardness that exceeds that of native enamel.”
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Why This Trend Is Growing
- Hydroxyapatite-based Enamel Replacement
- There is an opportunity for dental companies to innovate using hydroxyapatite-based enamel replacement in cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
- Artificial Mineralized Tissues
- There is an opportunity for medical companies to develop other artificial mineralized tissues that rival natural ones, such as bone tissue and cartilage.
- Replacing and Augmenting Natural Materials with Artificial Counterparts
- An emerging trend in materials science is the replacement and augmentation of natural materials with stronger, more durable artificial counterparts.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Dentistry
- The dental industry can benefit from adopting this new technology and developing innovative methods to deliver it to patients.
- Biomaterials
- The biomaterials industry can build upon this technology to create new materials for bone and tissue replacements.
- Materials Science
- The emerging field of materials science can use this research to develop and test new materials, such as those for space exploration and construction.
