The Remineralizing and Desensitizing Potential of Hydroxyapatite in Dentistry: A Narrative Review of Recent Clinical Evidence
Abstract
1. Introduction
- Research Question
- Search strategy
- P (Population): Children and adults receiving non-invasive dental care for the purposes of remineralization, caries prevention, or management of dentin hypersensitivity.
- I (Intervention): Hydroxyapatite-containing products (e.g., toothpaste, gel, lotion, chewing gum).
- C (Comparison): Alternative agents, placebo, or no intervention.
- O (Outcome): Improvement in enamel or dentin remineralization, reduction in caries incidence, or decrease in dentin hypersensitivity.
2. Literature Search and Study Selection
Overview and Categorization of Included Studies
- Hydroxyapatite vs. Fluoride
- Hydroxyapatite vs. other agents
- Hydroxyapatite + Fluoride vs. other
- Hydroxyapatite vs. Hydroxyapatite
3. Interpretation and Implications
3.1. Comparative Efficacy of Hydroxyapatite and Fluoride
3.2. Hydroxyapatite in the Management of Molar–Incisor Hypomineralization
3.3. Advantages of Combination Therapies
3.4. Limitations of the Current Evidence
4. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
MIH | molar-incisor hypomineralization |
Fl | fluoride |
CPP-ACP | casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate |
HAp | hydroxyapatite |
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Author and Year | Objective | Methods | Result | Conclusion | Review Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paszynska et al. [34] 2023 | Toothpaste comparison: HAp vs. NaF | 189 adults; non-inferiority trial in terms of no increase in DMFS over 18 months | 89.3% (HAp) vs. 87.4% (NaF) showed no increase in DMFS | HAp is a safe, effective, and non-inferior alternative to NaF | HAp is as effective as NaF in preventing caries |
Paszynska et al. [35] 2021 | Toothpaste comparison: HAp vs. Fl | 207 children; non-inferiority trial in terms of caries progression over 12 months | 72.7% (HAp) vs. 74.2% (Fl) showed caries progression; HAp non-inferior to fluoride | HAp is not inferior to Fl in preventing caries in primary dentition | HAp is as effective as Fl in caries prevention |
Butera et al. [36] 2022 | Toothpaste comparison in white spot lesions: HAp vs. NaF | 40 adults; SAI, VAS and BEWE examination over 90 days | SAI and VAS significantly decreased in HAp group; no significant change in BEWE in either group | HAp more effective than NaF in reducing dental hypersensitivity | HAp outperforms NaF in reducing dental hypersensitivity |
Gümüştaş et Dikmen [37] 2022 | Comparison of HAp (solution) vs. NaF (gel) vs. other before in-office bleaching to reduce sensitivity | 64 adults; agent applied before bleaching with 38% H2O2; sensitivity (VAS) and color change measured | No difference in bleaching efficacy; HAp and NaF significantly reduced sensitivity vs. other | HAp and NaF reduce bleaching-induced sensitivity without affecting whitening effect | HAp as effective as NaF in reducing sensitivity |
Wierichs et al. [38] 2020 | Toothpaste comparison: HAp vs. F | 20 adults; 4 toothpastes (HAp, NaF 0, 1100, 5000 ppm) each tested over 4 weeks using mandibular appliances; mineral loss and lesion depth measured on bovine enamel and dentin | HAp and NaF0 showed demineralization; NaF1100 and NaF5000 showed significant remineralization, especially in highly demineralized dentin | Only NaF toothpastes showed dose-dependent remineralizing effects; HAp was not effective | HAp does not prevent demineralization; only NaF effective in remineralization |
Dussa et al. [19] 2024 | Remineralization effects after IPR with HAp vs. NaF | 25 patients; 5 groups (HAp weekly, NaF monthly, 3 controls); enamel assessed via Ca/P ratio, Vickers microhardness, and surface roughness | HAp resulted in highest remineralization (close to untreated enamel). NaF showed a slightly weaker trend but also promoted enamel remineralization | HAp was slightly more effective than NaF; however, application frequency differed (HAp weekly, NaF monthly) | HAp may be more suitable post-IPR due to frequent application without risk of fluoride overexposure |
Author and Year | Objective | Methods | Result | Conclusion | Review Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scribante et al. [39] 2024 | Toothpaste comparison: zinc-HAp (with monthly HAp gel) vs. calcium sodium phosphosilicate | 40 children with asthma/allergic rhinitis; Indices assessed over 6 months: SAI, PI, pH, DMFT, BEWE, SI | SAI and PI significantly reduced in both groups; no significant intergroup differences overall | Both groups showed similar clinical improvement | since calcium sodium phosphosilicate forms HAp, comparable effects are expected |
Butera et al. [40] 2022 | Evaluate zinc-HAp paste for desensitizing and remineralizing MIH-affected teeth | 25 children with MIH lesions; zinc-HAp paste applied to 2 teeth, 2 untreated control teeth (split-mouth); HAp-free toothpaste used in both groups; PCR, MIH-TNI, SAI assessed over 9 months | PCR improved in both groups; SAI and MIH-TNI improved significantly in zinc-HAp group, but showed only minor changes in control group | Zinc-HAp reduced sensitivity and improved MIH-TNI | Zinc-HAp paste shows desensitizing effect and supports remineralization in MIH treatment |
Grocholewicz et al. [41] 2020 | Compare remineralization of initial approximal caries using HAp gel, ozone therapy, or both | 92 adults; all used fluoride toothpaste; 6-month treatment with HAp gel, ozone, or both; follow-up over 2 years | After 1 year: remineralization in 36.5% (HAp), 52.8% (ozone), 69.3% (combined); caries reversal in 18.0%, 38.0%, and 45.4%, respectively, over 2 years | All treatments showed remineralizing effects; combination was most effective but required continued application | HAp + ozone showed best short-term effect; ozone outperforms HAp; long-term benefit depends on consistent use |
Author and Year | Objective | Methods | Result | Conclusion | Review Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Campus et al. [42] 2024 | Toothpaste comparison: HAF vs. F | 610 children; 4 toothpastes (2 HAF, 2 fluoride); plaque pH and microbiological analyses over 24 months | All groups showed increased minimum pH; HAF had the greatest increase and significantly fewer cariogenic bacteria | HAF toothpaste shows promising effects, but evidence remains inconclusive | HAF may outperform F alone |
Cagetti et al. [43] 2022 | Toothpaste comparison: HAF vs. Fl in caries prevention | 610 children; 4 toothpastes (2 HAF, 2 Fl); ICDAS scoring over 24 months | HAF significantly reduced caries progression in both primary and permanent dentition; risk reduction 38–39% | HAF shows greater risk reduction for caries compared to Fl over 2 years | HAF may outperform Fl alone |
Esparza- Villalpando et al. [29] 2021 | Topical agent comparison for white spot lesions in primary enamel: Fl + HAp vs. Fl + CPP-ACP vs. NaF | 130 children; topical application of Fl + HAp, Fl + CPP-ACP, NaF; UF measured over 3 weeks; regular toothpaste use unknown | UF decreased in all groups; Fl + HAp and Fl + CPP-ACP more effective than NaF; no significant difference between Fl + HAp and Fl + CPP-ACP | Fl + HAp and Fl + CPP-ACP are more effective than NaF in remineralizing | Additives like HAp or CPP-ACP outperform NaF alone |
Author and Year | Objective | Methods | Result | Conclusion | Review Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hihara et al. [44] 2023 | Compare HAp layer applied by powder jet vs. CaP paste that forms HAp in situ for dentin hypersensitivity | 35 adults; split-mouth design; sensitivity assessed via VAS (air/scratch pain) over 12 weeks | Both groups showed similar improvement (air pain ~69%, scratch pain ~81%) | HAp reduced dentin hypersensitivity | Both HAp treatments reduced hypersensitivity; no significant difference between application types |
Amaechi et al. [28] 2021 | Assess whether HAp lotion enhances the effect of HAp toothpaste | 30 adults; HAp toothpaste followed by either HAp or placebo lotion; 14-day treatment per phase using intraoral appliance with enamel blocks; mineral loss measured | Both groups showed significant remineralization; HAp lotion group showed greater effect (58.4% vs. 37.7%) | HAp toothpaste is effective; additional HAp lotion further enhances remineralization | HAp inhibits demineralization; additional HAp lotion boosts the effect |
Hassani et al. [31] 2023 | Compare the effect of plant-based vs. synthetic HAp in gum for remineralization | 2 adults; Ca2+ and P content measured after chewing using enamel specimens in intraoral appliances | Synthetic HAp group showed significantly higher Ca2+ levels; plant-based HAp also increased Ca2+; no difference in P levels | HAp gum enhances enamel remineralization; synthetic HAp more effective than plant-based HAp | Synthetic HAp outperforms plant-based HAp in delivering Ca2+ for remineralization via chewing gum |
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Naim, J.; Sen, S. The Remineralizing and Desensitizing Potential of Hydroxyapatite in Dentistry: A Narrative Review of Recent Clinical Evidence. J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16, 325. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16090325
Naim J, Sen S. The Remineralizing and Desensitizing Potential of Hydroxyapatite in Dentistry: A Narrative Review of Recent Clinical Evidence. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2025; 16(9):325. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16090325
Chicago/Turabian StyleNaim, Jusef, and Sinan Sen. 2025. "The Remineralizing and Desensitizing Potential of Hydroxyapatite in Dentistry: A Narrative Review of Recent Clinical Evidence" Journal of Functional Biomaterials 16, no. 9: 325. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16090325
APA StyleNaim, J., & Sen, S. (2025). The Remineralizing and Desensitizing Potential of Hydroxyapatite in Dentistry: A Narrative Review of Recent Clinical Evidence. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 16(9), 325. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16090325