Bioinspired layer-by-layer nanoengineering for dental hard tissue regeneration and caries prevention

Dental caries, a chronic disease resulting from bacterial demineralization of dental hard tissues, poses a significant global health challenge. Remineralization therapy presents a promising strategy to arrest caries progression and restore tissue integrity. However, simultaneously achieving stable, efficient remineralization and effectively combating plaque biofilm formation remains a critical hurdle. Inspired by the hierarchical "brick-and-mortar" architecture of nacre and the adhesive functionality of mussel foot proteins (Mfps), a novel nanoarchitectonic system was developed via a layer-by-layer biomimetic assembly. This multifunctional system comprises amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) as a mineral ion reservoir, tannic acid (TA) as a bridging and crystallization-regulating layer mimicking the catechol chemistry of Mfps, and hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) as a functional antibacterial outer layer. This bioinspired design yields a stable platform capable of sustained release of calcium and phosphate ions for remineralization while providing long-lasting antibacterial activity against cariogenic biofilms. The system not only forms a durable protective barrier on the enamel surface but also facilitates effective biomimetic remineralization of early carious lesions. This nature-inspired strategy provides a comprehensive and clinically translational approach for hard tissue regeneration and synergistic caries management.