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Could Human Hair Protein Help Repair Tooth Enamel? Keratin Shows Promise in Lab Tests

Researchers at King's College London used keratin — the protein in hair and wool — to create a crystal-like scaffold that attracts calcium and phosphate and builds an enamel-like mineral layer in laboratory tests. The treatment restored surface appearance and mechanical strength of early enamel lesions and reduced sensitivity. However, only limited enamel thickness was produced and questions about biocompatibility, durability and scalability remain; further testing is required.

05:50 AM, 11/24/2025Health
Could Human Hair Protein Help Repair Tooth Enamel? Keratin Shows Promise in Lab Tests

Researchers at King's College London report that a keratin-based system — keratin is the natural protein found in hair, skin and nails — can rebuild small amounts of damaged dental enamel in laboratory experiments. The team observed restored surface appearance and improved mechanical strength in early enamel lesions, suggesting a potential route toward reversing early-stage cavities.

How the method works

In lab tests the researchers used keratin derived from wool to form a crystal-like scaffold on the tooth surface. When exposed to minerals present in saliva, that framework attracted calcium and phosphate ions and converted them into a dense mineral layer that mimics natural enamel. The regenerated coating appeared to seal microscopic pathways to the nerve, reducing sensitivity while protecting the tooth from further acid attack.

Key findings

  • The keratin scaffold helped restore optical appearance and mechanical properties of early defective enamel lesions in vitro.
  • In these controlled experiments the formulation halted further mineral loss that would otherwise occur from acid exposure.
  • The technique could be sustainable: keratin can be sourced from discarded hair or wool, turning waste into a potential dental material.

Limitations and caveats

Only limited enamel thickness was regenerated, and questions remain about biocompatibility and clinical feasibility due to a complicated fabrication process.

Independent dental scientists note that enamel produced in laboratory conditions often lacks the complex hierarchical structure of natural enamel, and it is uncertain whether a regenerated layer can endure years of chewing, grinding and acid exposure in the mouth. The researchers emphasize that further testing is needed to determine how thick, durable and biocompatible the new layer can become, and whether the method can be scaled and simplified for routine clinical or consumer use.

Potential applications and next steps

The team suggests the keratin formula could eventually be incorporated into everyday toothpaste or delivered as a professional, dentist-applied treatment, but that timeline depends on additional preclinical studies, safety testing and commercial development. The study was published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials.

Bottom line: Keratin-based enamel regeneration is an intriguing laboratory advance that could point toward regenerative dental treatments, but meaningful technical and clinical hurdles remain before it becomes an available therapy.

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