Biomimetic Remineralization of Carious Lesions by Self-Assembling Peptide

Abstract

Self-assembling β-sheet forming peptide P11-4 has shown potential in the treatment and prevention of dental caries by supporting tissue regeneration. It has previously been shown that application of monomeric P11-4 solution to early carious lesions can increase net mineral gain by forming de novo hydroxyapatite crystals. The hypothesis for the mode of action was that monomeric self-assembling peptide P11-4 diffuses into the subsurface lesion body and assembles therein into higher order fibrils, facilitating mineralization of the subsurface volume by mimicking the natural biomineralization of the tooth enamel.