Expense Incurred on a Purchase of Several Toothpaste Tubes for $170
Breakthrough Development in Tooth Enamel Regeneration
A groundbreaking discovery has been made by scientists at Bristol University and the University of Leeds Dental Institute, who have developed gels that can regenerate decayed or damaged tooth enamel. This development could potentially be a significant breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of dental caries.
The key ingredient in these gels is Novamin, a calcium sodium phosphosilicate bioactive glass. Novamin does not require fluoride for remineralizing teeth, making it an attractive alternative for those who prefer fluoride-free dental products. This bioactive glass has ionic forms of Calcium and Phosphorus that build strong teeth.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) purchased the patent for Novamin in May 2010 for $135 million. Despite this acquisition, NovaMin remains a prominent bioactive glass ingredient, reacting with saliva to release calcium and phosphate ions, forming a mineral-rich layer on teeth that helps seal dentinal tubules and rebuild enamel.
The research on this peptide hydrogel was published in the Journal of Dental Research and suggests that self-assembling peptides may be useful in the modulation of mineral behavior during in situ dental tissue engineering. The assembled peptide was also capable of inducing hydroxyapatite nucleation de novo.
The regeneration process involves the application of a peptide hydrogel, which forms a protein scaffold onto which new enamel-forming calcium is deposited from saliva. The peptide treatment significantly increased net mineral gain by lesions, due to both increased remineralization and inhibition of demineralization over a five-day period.
There is another idea for a peptide hydrogel that works to heal deep cavities. The scientists claim to have seen "highly significant" levels of repair, with signs of decay reversed months after a single application of the compound.
Alternatives to NovaMin
Beyond the original NovaMin, there are several bioactive glass formulations available. Other bioactive glass toothpastes and varnishes, often combined with fluoride or other additives, also promote enamel remineralization and acid resistance.
For instance, Burt's Bees Fluoride-Free Whitening Toothpaste contained Novamin, but the company discontinued production due to low sales and difficulty obtaining some ingredients. GSK's disruption of the supply chain for Novamin-containing toothpaste has affected other manufacturers like Dr. Collins Restore, Oravive, and so on.
In summary, NovaMin remains a current and relevant biomaterial in oral care, with multiple competitive alternatives using similar bioactive glass technology available on the market as of 2025. The ongoing development of bioactive glass variants, including fluoridated and nanosilver-containing forms, continues to explore effective remineralization comparable or superior to fluoride varnishes.
References: 1. http://m.jdr.sagepub.com/content/86/5/426.short - "Self-assembling Peptide Scaffolds Promote Enamel Remineralization" 2. Journal of Dental Research 3. GlaxoSmithKline 4. Burt's Bees 5. Amazon - Search for "NovaMin toothpaste" or "bioactive glass toothpaste" for available products.
Science has shown that bioactive glass, such as the one found in the peptide hydrogel, can contribute to health-and-wellness by promoting tooth enamel regeneration. Besides NovaMin, other bioactive glass formulations in toothpastes and varnishes are also utilized for enamel remineralization and acid resistance.
