Tooth Remineralization & Biomimetics by Kalichem via Happi

Kalichem researchers detail the benefits of next-generation hydroxyapatite.

With an emphasis on tooth health, oral care active ingredients have evolved significantly in the past decade. Traditional benchmark actives are fluoride-based salts,¹ but today, remineralizers are based on hydroxyapatite (HAP),^2,3 the mineral physiologically found in enamel and dentin, and its derivatives. This article details the use of biomimetic materials based on HAP and its derivatives, commercialized by Kalichem srl, under the brand Kalident. Tooth remineralization usually relies on two strategies: the first refers to fluoride-based actives, the latter to Ca++ and PO4—sources.⁴ In both cases, the functional target is to promote the in vivo formation of physiological HAP and fluorohydroxyapatite (F-HAP).

The tooth is composed of a rich and constantly evolving mineral phase, characterized by the presence of HAP in enamel and dentin, where it represents, respectively, 97% and 70% of total composition. The remineralization is the process by which the tooth mineral phase is constantly subject to a restoring phase, as a mechanism of physiological homeostasis and balance against daily demineralization.^5,6,7

This article details three different remineralizing solutions (not based on nano material) with complementary mechanisms inspired by the biomimetic philosophy.⁸ “Biomimetic” is a term pointing out the study of the formation, structure or function of biologically produced substances and biological mechanisms and processes, for the purpose of synthesizing similar products which mimic natural ones.⁹ The following proposals meet the biomimetic concept through different modalities and efficiently respond to the functional requirements to counteract the onset of events like caries, hypersensitivity and whitening boosting.

• Biomimetic hydroxyapatite;
• Fluorohydroxyapatite; and
• Amorphous calcium phosphate functionalized with citrates, fluoride and carbonate ions.

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Published by Happi, May, 2020 the 1rst