Mineralized dentin and enamel surface

Mineralized dentin and enamel surfaces are the hard tissues of the tooth, primarily composed of a crystalline calcium phosphate known as hydroxyapatite (StatPearls, 2023). Enamel is the most highly mineralized substance in the human body, providing a durable barrier against mechanical and chemical challenges, whereas dentin is a vital, porous tissue that supports the enamel and protects the dental pulp. These surfaces serve as critical targets for preventive and restorative pharmacology, particularly in the management of dental caries and dentin hypersensitivity. Therapeutic agents like fluoride promote remineralization by integrating into the crystal lattice to form fluorapatite, which is significantly more resistant to acid dissolution (Marinho et al., 2013). Additionally, treatments for hypersensitivity focus on the physical occlusion of dentinal tubules or the modification of nerve excitability within the dentin-pulp complex (Miglani et al., 2010). Understanding the physicochemical properties of these surfaces is essential for developing biomimetic materials and effective topical treatments in modern dentistry.

Other names

Tooth enamelDental dentinDental hard tissueHydroxyapatite surfaceMineralized dental matrixSubstantia adamantinaSubstantia eburnea

The primary mechanisms include the promotion of remineralization through the formation of fluorapatite (Marinho et al., 2013), the physical occlusion of dentinal tubules to prevent fluid movement (Miglani et al., 2010), and the antimicrobial action of silver ions on the mineralized surface (Gao et al., 2016).