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Development of Amelogenin-chitosan Hydrogel for In Vitro Enamel Regrowth with a Dense Interface
Published on: July 10, 2014
Preventive effects of a strontium‑containing nano bioactive glass hydrogel against enamel caries: An in vitro study.
Iris Xiaoxue Yin1, Veronica Ruiyu Ma1, Chun Hung Chu1
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Journal of Dentistry
|July 1, 2026
Summary
A new functionalised chitosan/nano-strontium phosphosilicate hydrogel (fCS/nSPS) effectively inhibits cariogenic biofilms and promotes enamel remineralisation. This nanocomposite hydrogel shows potential for treating early enamel caries, especially in high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Research
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Dental caries remains a significant global health issue, necessitating innovative preventive and therapeutic strategies.
- Early enamel caries involves demineralisation, creating lesions that require intervention to prevent progression.
- Biofilm formation by bacteria like Streptococcus mutans is central to caries development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibiofilm and remineralising effects of a functionalised chitosan/nano-strontium phosphosilicate hydrogel (fCS/nSPS) on artificial enamel caries lesions in vitro.
- To compare the efficacy of fCS/nSPS with silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and deionised water.
Main Methods:
- Human enamel blocks were subjected to cariogenic challenge and treated with fCS/nSPS, SDF (positive control), or deionised water (negative control).
- Biofilm assessment included SEM, CFU counting, and bacterial surface charge analysis.
- Remineralisation was evaluated using SEM, XRD, micro-CT, and nanoindentation to assess surface morphology, crystal structure, lesion depth, elastic modulus, and nanohardness.
Main Results:
- fCS/nSPS and SDF treatments significantly reduced biofilm formation, viability, and bacterial surface charge compared to water.
- A mineral-rich surface layer and stronger crystalline apatite were observed on fCS/nSPS- and SDF-treated enamel.
- fCS/nSPS and SDF treatments resulted in significantly shallower lesion depths and increased elastic modulus and nanohardness of the enamel.
Conclusions:
- The functionalised chitosan/nano-strontium phosphosilicate hydrogel demonstrates significant antibiofilm and remineralising capabilities in vitro.
- This nanocomposite hydrogel presents a promising minimally invasive treatment option for early enamel caries, particularly for high-risk individuals.
