Dentin organic matrix and hydroxyapatite surfaces

Dentin organic matrix and hydroxyapatite surfaces represent the primary structural and functional substrate of the human tooth, consisting of a complex biocomposite of approximately 70% inorganic mineral, 20% organic matrix, and 10% water (Source: Goldberg et al., 2011, "Dentin: Structure, Composition and Mineralization"). The mineral phase is composed of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite crystals, while the organic scaffold is dominated by Type I collagen and non-collagenous phosphoproteins like dentin sialophosphoprotein (Source: NIH/NCBI, "Structure and composition of dentin"). In clinical pharmacology, these surfaces are the therapeutic targets for agents designed to treat dental caries and dentin hypersensitivity. Drugs such as fluoride interact with the hydroxyapatite surface to form acid-resistant fluorapatite, effectively reducing mineral dissolution (Source: StatPearls, "Fluoride"). Additionally, the organic matrix contains endogenous matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that can be targeted by inhibitors like chlorhexidine to prevent the degradation of the dentin-resin hybrid layer in restorative dentistry (Source: PubMed, "Chlorhexidine and dentin bonding"). Therapeutic interventions often focus on either remineralizing the inorganic component or stabilizing the organic collagen network to maintain tooth integrity and reduce sensitivity.

Other names

Dentin substrateTooth mineral and organic matrixDentin-pulp complex substrateMineralized dentin matrix

Mineral precipitation and ion substitution (e.g., formation of fluorapatite), protease inhibition (e.g., inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases), collagen cross-linking, and physical occlusion of dentinal tubules.