New artificial tooth enamel is harder and more durable

Material science is great, but the hype... The structure is not really like enamel, the process is impractical for use in dentistry, but that's OK, because they haven't even checked if it can be used for dentistry (adhesion to real enamel). At least it could be used for <insert wild claims here>, someday, maybe, if, who knows.

Enamel isn't actually a material, it is a generic word for a smooth, hard protective coating. Tooth enamel is specific, but that isn't in the title.

The article is about tooth enamel, not about a decorative coloured glass coating bonded to metal.

Here's a story from last year about a clinical trial that is actually about strengthening tooth enamel: https://dental.washington.edu/trials-begin-on-lozenge-that-r...

Other uses for the material: [..]Outside of its obvious potential in dentistry, Kotov envisions the material being used to build better and longer-lasting pacemakers for people with heart conditions, or to reinforce crumbling bone in those with severe osteoporosis. He says the material could even be modified to create a “smart tooth,” a prosthetic chomper containing sensors that could sync to a smartphone. Such a device could monitor a person’s breath and mouth bacteria for anomalies, which would allow doctors to catch conditions such as diabetes before a patient is aware of them.[..]

I am especially intrigued by the ‘smart tooth’ which have sensors connected to smartphone.

Link: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/synthetic-enamel-...

The SGU had a discussion about this the other week. Starts at 34:00.

https://www.theskepticsguide.org/podcasts/episode-866

Thank you

I always thought tooth enamel was kinda weak sauce