Tooth mineral surface (Hydroxyapatite) (HAP)

The tooth mineral surface is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite, a crystalline calcium phosphate that provides the structural integrity of dental enamel and dentin (NIH, 2023). This surface acts as a dynamic substrate for physicochemical ion deposition, where it undergoes continuous cycles of demineralization and remineralization in response to the oral environment's pH (StatPearls, 2024). In the presence of dental caries or erosion, the mineral lattice loses calcium and phosphate ions, leading to structural failure. Therapeutic agents like fluoride target this surface by facilitating the substitution of hydroxyl groups with fluoride ions, resulting in the formation of fluorapatite, which is significantly more resistant to acid-induced dissolution (PubChem, 2024). Furthermore, bioactive materials such as calcium sodium phosphosilicate and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) interact with the surface to precipitate new mineral layers, effectively occluding exposed dentinal tubules to alleviate hypersensitivity (PubMed, 2022).

Other names

Dental enamel surfaceHydroxyapatiteCarbonated hydroxyapatiteTooth enamelDentin mineral surface

Physicochemical ion deposition and remineralization through the formation of acid-resistant fluorapatite and mineral precipitation on the hydroxyapatite lattice.