Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2016 Sep 19:11:4743-4763.
doi: 10.2147/IJN.S107624. eCollection 2016.

Demineralization-remineralization dynamics in teeth and bone

Ensanya Ali Abou Neel  1 , Anas Aljabo  2 , Adam Strange  2 , Salwa Ibrahim  2 , Melanie Coathup  3 , Anne M Young  2 , Laurent Bozec  2 , Vivek Mudera  3
Affiliations
Review

Demineralization-remineralization dynamics in teeth and bone

Ensanya Ali Abou Neel et al. Int J Nanomedicine. .

Abstract

Biomineralization is a dynamic, complex, lifelong process by which living organisms control precipitations of inorganic nanocrystals within organic matrices to form unique hybrid biological tissues, for example, enamel, dentin, cementum, and bone. Understanding the process of mineral deposition is important for the development of treatments for mineralization-related diseases and also for the innovation and development of scaffolds. This review provides a thorough overview of the up-to-date information on the theories describing the possible mechanisms and the factors implicated as agonists and antagonists of mineralization. Then, the role of calcium and phosphate ions in the maintenance of teeth and bone health is described. Throughout the life, teeth and bone are at risk of demineralization, with particular emphasis on teeth, due to their anatomical arrangement and location. Teeth are exposed to food, drink, and the microbiota of the mouth; therefore, they have developed a high resistance to localized demineralization that is unmatched by bone. The mechanisms by which demineralization-remineralization process occurs in both teeth and bone and the new therapies/technologies that reverse demineralization or boost remineralization are also scrupulously discussed. Technologies discussed include composites with nano- and micron-sized inorganic minerals that can mimic mechanical properties of the tooth and bone in addition to promoting more natural repair of surrounding tissues. Turning these new technologies to products and practices would improve health care worldwide.

Keywords: bone and calcium phosphates; demineralization; remineralization; teeth.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scanning electron microscopic images showing (A) normal enamel, (B) enamel etched with phosphoric acid at the same concentration as found in drinks, and (C) the recrystallized HA after solubilization (edges of the image) compared to unetched HA (center of the image). Abbreviation: HA, hydroxyapatite.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Gelse K, Poschl E, Aigner T. Collagens-structure, function, and biosynthesis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2003;55(12):1531–1546. - PubMed
    1. Lin C, Douglas WH, Erlandsen SL. Scanning electron microscopy of type I collagen at the dentin-enamel junction of human teeth. J Histochem Cytochem. 1993;41(3):381–388. - PubMed
    1. Nanci A. Ten Cate’s Oral Histology: Development, Structure, and Function. Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby; 2008.
    1. Vallet-Regí M, González-Calbet JM. Calcium phosphates as substitution of bone tissues. Prog Solid State Chem. 2004;32(1–2):1–31.
    1. Beniash E. Biominerals-hierarchical nanocomposites: the example of bone wires. Nanomed Nanobiotechnol. 2011;3(1):47–69. - PMC - PubMed