09 August 2023

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A peptide to remineralize carious lesions

By Arianna Bianchi

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Amorphous calcium phosphate dental caries is one of the most common diseases worldwide, if not the most common. For this reason, modern dentistry is increasingly focused on developing a more effective means of restoring enamel.

This is the case, for example, of therapies such as remineralization which try to prevent the progression of caries and to restore the original mechanical properties of the tooth.

As is now well known, biomineralization is essential for the formation of hard tissues such as bones and teeth. Enamel matrix proteins (EMPs) are thought to play a key role in the biomineralization of enamel.

Among these, amelogenin appears to be one of the most important EMPs. It is able to promote mineralization and to modulate the nanocrystalline structure of calcium phosphate, as demonstrated by several studies.

For the prevention and treatment, especially initially, of carious lesions, fluorine still plays a key role.

However, the possible hypermineralization of the surface of carious lesions, which would prevent effective remineralization of the deeper layers, and the appearance of fluoride-resistant bacteria cannot be ignored.

Materials and methods

The authors of a study published in Regenerative Biomaterials in June 2020 wondered if a synergistic action between EMPs (the biomimetic peptide QP5, derived from amelogenin) and fluorine was not possible, analyzing the results obtained from this association after having created ad hoc of carious lesions on extracted and suitably treated molars.

Results

The results demonstrated that the amelogenin-derived biomimetic peptide QP5 could bind on the enamel surface, transiently stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate, control hydroxyapatite crystallization, and promote remineralization of carious lesions.

In the presence of fluoride, this peptide then had a positive interaction, offering a dental material that may hold promise for improving the efficiency of fluoride's remineralization capacity.

Conclusions

According to the authors, future studies should further clarify these mechanisms of action and verify their function in experiments, not only in in vitro settings.

For more information: "Remineralization of enamel caries by an amelogenin-derived peptide and fluoride in vitro."