Remineralizing performance of different materials on teeth hard tissues

Abstract

The teeth hard tissues are mineralized structures constituted by enamel and dentin, mainly formed by inorganic components, such as hydroxyapatite. The mineralized structures cover and protect the pulp tissue, responsible for dentin formation, beside sensibility and immune response to injury. The interaction between hard (dentin) and soft (pulp) tissues is known as dentin-pulp complex and when damaged, is the key to induce the formation of a dentin barrier (tertiary dentin) to protect the pulp. However, this mineralized tissue may be affected by different demineralization processes, observed during cariogenic activity, intrinsic/extrinsic dental erosion or dental bleaching, leading to loss of mineral compounds and consequent cavitation. The demineralization of dental hard tissue is counterbalanced by the constant physiological remineralization process induced by the saliva. Nowadays, it's common to enhance this dental remineralization with the aid of proper remineralizating materials, such as calcium/sodium fluoride-based (gels, varnishes and dentifrices) or bioactive materials (peptides, nanohydroxyapatite, bioactive-glass and glass-ceramic). Although caries prevalence has been decreasing, is still present in all age groups worldwide, as the most common disease and main responsible for dental cavitation or dental loss. Thus, this chapter discusses the main mechanism of the constant demineralization-remineralization balance, along with remineralizer agents and future perspectives of in dentistry.