In vitro remineralization of severely compromised bonded dentin

Biomimetic remineralization is potentially useful for the remineralization of incompletely resin-infiltrated collagen matrices created by etch-and-rinse adhesives. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that structurally altered dentin collagen cannot be remineralized to the same hierarchical order and dimension seen in structurally intact dentin collagen. The remineralization medium consisted of a set Portland cement/simulated body fluid system containing polycarboxylic acid and polyvinylphosphonic acid as biomimetic analogs. Remineralization of air-dried, collapsed hybrid layers was apparent after one month, with hybrid layers remineralized to 80-90% of their thickness after 2-4 months. A hypermineralized layer was seen on the hybrid layer surface, and tubular orifices were occluded with apatite deposits that resembled those present in non-carious cervical dentin. Structurally altered collagen is unlikely to be remineralized to the same hierarchical order and dimension as seen in intact dentin. The aggressively air-dried acid-etched dentin remineralization model also sheds light on the mechanism of sclerotic dentin formation.