Bioinspired Mineralization of Dental Tissues

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineralogical Crystallography and Biomineralization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 440

Special Issue Editor

Department of Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan.
Interests: acid-base resistant zone; secondary caries; fluoride
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioinspired mineralization is a promising approach in dental research, offering innovative strategies to address challenges such as enamel repair, dentin regeneration, and caries prevention. Inspired by the natural biomineralization processes found in teeth, the research in this field focuses on developing materials and methods that mimic the hierarchical structure and mechanical properties of dental tissues. For instance, the use of nanomaterials and controlled ion delivery systems has shown potential in promoting remineralization and enhancing the durability of restorations. By leveraging insights from biology, bioinspired mineralization aims to create sustainable and biocompatible solutions, advancing restorative dentistry and improving long-term oral health outcomes. This interdisciplinary field bridges materials science, chemistry, and biology, paving the way for next-generation dental therapies.

Dr. Go Inoue
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • remineralization
  • biomaterials
  • crystallization
  • fluoride

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 7852 KiB  
Article
Remineralization Effects of Zinc-Containing Glass Ionomer Cement Restoratives on Demineralized Enamel Under pH Cycling Conditions
by Khin Myanmar, Go Inoue, Xuefei Chen and Yasushi Shimada
Crystals 2025, 15(4), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040329 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
(1) Background: White spot lesions (WSLs) on enamel result from demineralization and are an early sign of dental caries. Glass ionomer cement (GIC) has been widely used for its remineralization potential, and zinc-containing GIC (zGIC) has been introduced to enhance this effect. However, [...] Read more.
(1) Background: White spot lesions (WSLs) on enamel result from demineralization and are an early sign of dental caries. Glass ionomer cement (GIC) has been widely used for its remineralization potential, and zinc-containing GIC (zGIC) has been introduced to enhance this effect. However, its efficacy compared to conventional GIC (cGIC) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the remineralization effects of cGIC and zGIC on WSLs. (2) Methods: Thirty-six bovine enamel specimens were prepared, demineralized for four days, and divided into three groups: control, cGIC, and zGIC. Half of each specimen’s treated window was covered with varnish, and a two-week pH cycling protocol was conducted. Mineral density (MD) changes were assessed using microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) at five time points: pre-demineralization, after demineralization, immediately after treatment, and 1- and 2-weeks post-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also performed. (3) Results: MD values in the zGIC and cGIC groups were significantly higher than in the control group throughout every post-treatment assessment (p < 0.05). zGIC demonstrated significantly higher MD than cGIC (p < 0.05), and SEM images revealed inferior mineral deposition. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that zGIC is more effective in remineralizing WSLs than cGIC over two weeks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Mineralization of Dental Tissues)
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