Remineralizing Agents in Dentistry

The human tooth is composed of highly mineralized tissues of the body containing hydroxyapatite as the primary constituent. Dental caries is a dynamic process that occurs when demineralization exceeds remineralization. But progression of dental caries is a slow process and during early stages, non-invasive intervention can convert the lesion to an inactive state from an active state. This principle is the key to preventive dentistry. The preventive approach of identification, conservative, non-restorative treatment of incipient caries saves both dental human resources for the profession and expense and suffering for the patient. Even though, in most of the developed countries, the prevalence of dental caries has decreased through the use of fluorides, the disease remains a major public health problem. Early diagnosis of incipient lesions can lead to a new era in preventive dentistry as remineralization. The best mode for caries management is the use of remineralizing products.