Ion-exchange processes in the tooth enamel and means of enamel remineralization (the literary review)

Abstract

Relevance. Dental caries is a global problem of our time, its prevalence is 99% of the world’s population. According to a number of authors, the prevalence of caries in Russia among children of 6 years is 62%, 12 years – 78%, 15 years – 88%. The treatment of caries and its complications is a painful, time-consuming and expensive process. Therefore, it is important to develop new tools and methods for the prevention of caries. Fundamental knowledge about the anatomy of the enamel, the etiology and pathogenesis of caries create a prerequisite for the development of new ways of primary prevention of caries. In attempts to solve this problem significant results have been achieved: for example, it is known that at the level of elementary cells of crystals in the enamel there happens a constant process of the ion interaction. This becomes possible due to the most important feature of the enamel – penetrability. However, there are many gaps in the molecular nature of penetrability, so we decided to turn to the theme of literary review. Purpose. Study of the molecular mechanisms of enamel permeability and a review of means for its remineralization. Materials and methods. Literature review on a given topic from 16 sources. Results. The review presents ion-exchange processes in tooth enamel and topical carioprophylactic compositions for remineralizing therapy.Conclusions. Remineralizing therapy with carioprophylactic gels is the most promising direction for caries prevention, taking into account the anatomy and physiology of ion-exchange processes in tooth enamel.