Physico-chemical Characterisation of the Processes Involved in Enamel Remineralisation by CPP-ACP

Abstract

Casein phosphopeptides derived from tryptic digests of milk caseins spontaneously assemble with calcium and phosphate ions at high pH to form casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate complexes (CPP-ACP). These complexes have been shown to be able to repair lesions in tooth enamel (biohydroxyapatite – HA) both in vitro and in vivo (specifically white spot lesions in the early stages of tooth decay). In order to better understand the processes involved in enamel remineralisation, the chemical equilibria between the CPP and calcium and phosphate ions as a function of pH were investigated. Furthermore, a thin-enamel slab technique was developed with enhanced sensitivity to monitor the d..