NONFLUORIDATED REMINERALIZING AGENTS

Early diagnosis of dental caries is of paramount importance. If we are able to intercept caries lesion at subsurface level with the help of remineralizing agents, we can actually achieve a caries free mouth.Remineralization was ruled by fluorides from the 1960s. Since then it has been successfully remineralizing carious lesions & has certain disadvantages like it is dependant on calcium and phosphate from saliva to accomplish this. Also overuse of fluorides can cause dental and skeletal fluorosis. This made researchers to explore nonfluoridated remineralizing agents.ACP compounds are considered prime candidates for remineralization therapy due to their high solubility under oral conditions and ability to rapidly hydrolyze to form apatite. Casein phospho-peptides are responsible for the high bioavailability of calcium from milk and other dairy products. CPP have the ability to bind and stabilize calcium and phosphate in solution, as well as to bind to dental plaque and tooth enamel. CPP stabilize ACP, localize ACP in dental plaque, thereby maintaining a state of supersaturation with respect to tooth enamel, reducing demineralization. TCP is a new hybrid material & when TCP comes into contact with the tooth surface and is moistened by saliva, the protective barrier breaks down making calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions available to the tooth. Xylitol, sugar substitute especially in chewing gums which increases salivary flow rate and enhances the protective properties of saliva. Bioactive glass is made of synthetic mineral containing sodium, calcium, phosphorous and silica which are all elements naturally found in the body. Ozone can shift microbial flora from acidogenic bacteria to normal commensals allowing remineralization to occur. Nanohydroxyapatite, a bioactive and biocompatible material, functions by directly filling up the micropores in early caries lesions.On the basis of the available data authors have given an insight into different nonfluoridated remineralizing agents in this article.