PEPTIDES: AN ALTERNATIVE TO DENTAL FILLINGS

“92 percent of adults ages 20-64 have had dental caries,” and coming up with new ways to prevent decay in the mouth is becoming ever more important to scientists conducting clinical research, and to dental professionals providing care. Dental professionals are continuously seeking out new ways of treating their patients, especially for a condition as common as caries.

the modern dentistry has recently concentrated on developing more effective means to reconstruct enamel to replace the wide use of filling materials, such as remineralization therapies, which try to prevent caries progression and restore tooth mechanical property.  Thus, biomimetic remineralization has become an important approach to caries treatment.

Teeth are subject to many glitches, most of which are caused by microorganisms. No lasting strategy for removing unwanted oral microbes or blocking their activities has made headway in laboratory or in clinical situations. 

Although tooth decay is relatively harmless in its initial stages, once the cavity progresses through the tooth's enamel, serious health concerns can arise. Good oral hygiene remains the best prevention. Dental caries or cavities form when acid produced by bacteria dissolves the hydroxyapatite mineral (HAP) of which tooth enamel is mainly comprised. Enamel matrix proteins (EMPs) are believed to play a key role in the enamel biomineralization. Amelogenin is one of the most important EMPs in enamel biomineralization that can promote the mineralization and modulate the nanocrystalline structure of calcium phosphate. The short peptide could potentially offer a superior approach for certain applications, the researchers believe. Researchers at the University of Washington have designed a convenient and natural product that uses this protein to rebuild tooth enamel and treat dental cavities. 

The peptide could be placed into clinical products such as gels or toothpastes to restore early stage dental cavities, say the researchers. A remineralisation procedure was run in the lab using the peptide, along with calcium and phosphate ions, in the presence or absence of fluoride. The amelogenin-derived peptide caused remineralisation and facilitated the incorporation of fluoride ions into the enamel.

The peptide-enabled technology allowed 10 to 50 micrometres of enamel to be deposited onto a tooth. It could allow people to rebuild and strengthen tooth enamel on a daily basis as part of preventive dental care, say the researchers. Once fully developed, the technology can be used in both private and public health settings, in biomimetic toothpaste, gels, solutions, and composites as a safe alternative to existing dental procedures and treatments.