REMINERALIZATION AGENTS

Çakmak Uysal G., Akgül S.

SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS AND CLINICAL DIRECTIONS IN DENTISTRY: REMINERALIZATION, RADIATION AND RESTORATION, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazan KOÇAK TOPBAŞ, Editör, Ubak Yayınevi, Ankara, ss.7-38, 2025

  • Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Yayınevi: Ubak Yayınevi
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Ankara
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.7-38
  • Editörler: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazan KOÇAK TOPBAŞ, Editör
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The pathophysiology of dental caries is characterised not only by cumulative loss of minerals from the tooth, but also by successive cycles of  demineralisation and remineralisation. Progression or reversal of the lesion is achieved by a balance between pathological factors that promote demineralisation and factors that promote remineralisation. Remineralisation is a state in which calcium (Ca)+2, phosphate (PO)4(-3) ıons in plaque and saliva accumulate in the crystalline spaces of demineralised tooth structure, resulting in mineral gain. Free fluoride (F)(-) ıons  allow (Ca)+2 and (PO)4-3 to be incorporated into the crystal structure, resulting in the formation of fluorapatite mineral, making the enamel significantly more resistant to the acid threat.

Dental caries, which occurs as a result of localised dissolution of dental hard tissues, is one of the chronic diseases seen in the society. Demineralisation begins when the pH on the hard tissues of the teeth falls below the critical level. In this process, acids produced by plaque bacteria are neutralised by buffering with saliva and the pH increases. With the plaque pH level exceeding the critical pH, minerals begin to precipitate, thus remineralisation occurs. The cavities formed as a result of mineral dissolution during the demineralisation process are filled with minerals during the remineralisation process, thus compensating for the lost minerals. As a result, the permeability of the enamel decreases and it becomes more resistant to acid attacks. To date, thanks to the understanding of the conditions affecting demineralisation and remineralisation in dental hard tissues, many applications and materials have emerged, especially within the scope of preventive dentistry. The aim of these preventive applications is basically to prevent demineralisation and to provide remineralisation in existing demineralised/hypomineralised areas.

Although fluoride applications have been accepted as the gold standard for the prevention of demineralisation and remineralisation until today, the use of different agents has become increasingly widespread, especially in recent years, as the effects of calcium and phosphate-containing agents have become more understood.