Biomineralization in dental research: mechanisms, clinical implications, and emerging microbial strategies

Biomineralization, the biologically controlled formation of minerals by living organisms, is central to the development, maintenance, and repair of dental hard tissues. This perspective summarizes the current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing enamel and dentin mineralization, with particular emphasis on the regulatory roles of amelogenins, enamel matrix proteins, dentin matrix proteins, and non-collagenous phosphoproteins. The clinical implications for dental caries, periodontal bone loss, and dentin hypersensitivity are critically evaluated in the context of biomineralization-based preventive and restorative strategies. Emerging technologies, including microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), bioactive glass-mediated remineralization, and biomimetic peptide-guided mineralization, are assessed for their translational potential in next-generation dental therapeutics. Two new conceptual frameworks are proposed: (i) a comparative mechanistic model distinguishing enamel versus dentin biomineralization pathways, and (ii) a translational pipeline mapping laboratory biomineralization strategies to clinical dental applications. This perspective identifies key knowledge gaps and future research directions at the intersection of biomineralization science and clinical dentistry.