Biomimetic strategies for the dentin mineralization, using bioactive molecules: a scoping review and bibliometric...

The structural collapse of carious dentin, resulting from demineralization, remains a fundamental challenge in restorative dentistry, critically compromising the longevity of adhesive restorations. While conventional remineralization strategies predominantly yield superficial mineralization, they fail to restore the vital intrafibrillar collagen, resulting in mechanically unstable substrates. This scoping review synthesizes evidence from 47 studies (2015-2025) investigating bioactive peptide-based materials for biomimetic dentin regeneration. Our analysis reveals that advances focus on three main pillars: 1. Polymer-induced Liquid-Precursor (PILPs) systems, which use polymeric analogs of non-collagenous protein (e.g., polyaspartic acid) to promote intrafibrillar mineral infiltration and deposition; 2. Self-Assembly Peptides (SAPs) (e.g., P₁₁-4), which form three-dimensional scaffolds for guided hydroxyapatite nucleation; and 3. Hybrid Multifunctional Systems, which combine remineralizing agents with antimicrobial or matrix-metalloproteinase-inhibiting properties. Bibliometric mapping identifies three converging research domains: matrix-stabilizing strategies, biomimetic nucleation platforms, and translational bioactivity assessment. In addition, bibliometric mapping identifies China, the USA, and Brazil as the top contributors and highlights the convergence of the themes "biomineralization," "collagen," and "dental materials." In conclusion, biomimetic approaches represent a promising paradigm for the hierarchical regeneration of dentin, although methodological heterogeneity and long-term validation, remain challenges for clinical translation.