Application of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Agents in the Prevention and Treatment of Enamel Demineralization

Abstract

Enamel demineralization, as a type of frequently-occurring dental problem that affects both the health and aesthetics of patients, is a concern for both dental professionals and patients. The main chemical composition of the enamel, hydroxyapatite, is easy to be dissolved under acid attack, resulting in the occurrence of enamel demineralization. Among agents for the preventing or treatment of enamel demineralization, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) has gradually become a focus of research. Based on the nonclassical crystallization theory, ACP can induce the formation of enamel-like hydroxyapatite and thereby achieve enamel remineralization. However, ACP has poor stability and tends to turn into hydroxyapatite in an aqueous solution resulting in the loss of remineralization ability. Therefore, ACP needs to be stabilized in an amorphous state before application. Herein, ACP stabilizers, including amelogenin and its analogs, casein phosphopeptides, polymers like chitosan derivatives, carboxymethylated PAMAM and polyelectrolytes, together with their mechanisms for stabilizing ACP are briefly reviewed. Scientific evidence supporting the remineralization ability of these ACP agents are introduced. Limitations of existing research and further prospects of ACP agents for clinical translation are also discussed.

Recombinant amelogenin peptide TRAP promoting remineralization of early enamel caries: An in vitro study

“…The N-terminus is an important domain of amelogenin for assisting mineralization ( Dissanayake et al, 2020 ). Through its tyrosine enrichment segment (TRAP) on the N-terminus, amelogenin interacts with calcium and phosphorus ions, stabilizing them into an amorphous form ( Yan et al, 2022 ). There was no significant difference in remineralization between the peptide 1 and peptide 2 medium treatment groups.…”

Antibacterial and fluorescent clear aligner attachment resin modified with chlorhexidine loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles and zinc oxide quantum dots

“…WSLs is one of the most common side effects of orthodontic treatment (Huang et al, 2022;Yan et al, 2022b). Recent study revealed that the incidence of WSLs reached 41.18%…”

Guidelines derived from biomineralized tissues for design and construction of high-performance biomimetic materials: from weak to strong

“…584 Benefiting from this, some amorphous biominerals can be stabilized, opening up a range of applications. 327,585 Thrivikraman et al 548 adopted a supersaturated calcium and phosphate medium with a non-collagenous protein analog to direct the deposition of nanostructured apatite, both in the intra-and extrafibrillar spaces of collagen embedded with osteoprogenitor, vascular, and neural cells. This method could prepare bone-like tissue models with high levels of biomimicry, enabling nearly homogenous mineralization of human mesenchymal stem cells-laden collagen hydrogels with structural organization and elemental composition comparable to human bone (Fig.…”

“…584 Benefiting from this, some amorphous biominerals can be stabilized, opening up a range of applications. 327,585…”