Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Development of Amelogenin-chitosan Hydrogel for In Vitro Enamel Regrowth with a Dense Interface
Published on: July 10, 2014
A Comparison of the Enamel Remineralisation Potential of Self-Assembling Peptides
Suneil Jason Chand Nath1, Yipeng Fu2, Kai Chun Li1
1Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Background:
The aim of this research was to compare the efficacy of the remineralising potential of self-assembling peptides (SAPs): Curodont Repair (P11-4), P26, and leucine-rich amelogenin peptides (LRAP) with the standard 5% NaF varnish (Duraphat) on early enamel caries lesions (EECLs).
Methods:
A demineralising solution (DS) was used to create artificial EECLs in human dental enamel specimens, which were randomly allocated to treatment groups: P11-4; P26 solution; LRAP solution; 5% NaF varnish; and deionised water (DIW). Each specimen was subjected to 8 days of pH cycling. Specimens from each test group were subjected to microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and nanomechanical testing to assess mineral density (MD), hardness (H), and elastic modulus (EM) properties of sound, demineralised, and treated enamel.
Results:
The mean MD percentage gain was highest in the P26 and P11-4 groups, followed by the LRAP, 5% NaF varnish, and DIW groups. There were statistically significant differences amongst groups. In the outer layer of EECLs, the EM and H were highest in P26 and P11-4 groups, followed by the LRAP and 5% NaF varnish. In the inner layer of EECLs, the EM and H were highest in P11-4 and P26 groups, indicative of enhanced penetration and remineralisation of the deeper parts of the artificial EECLs.
Conclusions:
P26 and P11-4 SAPs are more effective than 5% NaF varnish in remineralising the depth of EECLs.
