Dimineralization and Remineralization of Teeth

Dental caries remains the major public health problem in most countries. In the last decade, the focus in caries research has shifted to the development of methodologies for remineralization of carious lesion. Demineralization begins at the atomic level on the crystal surface inside the enamel or dentin and can continue unless halted with the end point being cavitation. Remineralization is defined as the process whereby calcium and phosphate ions are supplied from a source external to the tooth to promote ion deposition into crystal voids in demineralized enamel to produce net mineral gain. Fluoride is known to promote remineralization, but is dependent on calcium and phosphate ions from saliva to accomplish this. Recent investigations have primarily focused on various calcium phosphate based technologies which are designed to supplement and enhance the flouride¿s ability to restore tooth mineral. A total of 526 abstracts were retrieved, out of which 172 articles that discussed current technologies of non-fluoridated remineralizing agents were read and 33 most relevant articles were included in this book.