Recent Advances in Dental Hard Tissue Remineralization: A Review of Literature

The dental caries is not simply a continuous and unidirectional process of the demineralization of the mineral phase, but a cyclic event with periods of demineralizations and remineralisation. The remineralization process is a natural repair mechanism to restore the minerals again, in ionic forms, to the hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystal lattice. It occurs under near-neutral physiological pH conditions whereby calcium and phosphate mineral ions are redeposited within the caries lesion from saliva and plaque fluid resulting in the formation of newer HAP crystals, which are larger and more resistant to acid dissolution. Numerous types of remineralizing agents and remineralizing techniques have been researched and many of them are being used clinically, with significantly predictable positive results. The recent researches on remineralization are based on biomimetic remineralization materials, having the capability to create apatite crystals within the completely demineralized collagen fibers.

Arifa MK, Ephraim R, et al. Recent Advances in Dental Hard Tissue Remineralization: A Review of Literature. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(2):139-144.