Enamel remineralization: controlling the caries disease or treating early caries lesions?

Conclusions

1. Inicipient caries lesions regress or clinically disappear due to mechanical removal of affected enamel and true reprecipitation of minerals (remineralization), both of which are dependent on the control of caries as a disease.

2. Remineralization occurs naturally by the action of saliva.

3. Fluoride slows down caries progression by interfering with the dynamics of the process, reducing enamel demineralization and enhancing its remineralization.

4. Remineralization is activated by fluoride.

5. Any strategy to reduce the progression of caries lesions should be based on the control of caries as a biofilm-dependent disease.

6. The repair of early caries lesions may be speeded up by an exogenous Ca and Pi supply, but the clinical significance of the remineralization should be better evaluated.

7. The calcium phosphate-based remineralization technology could help some patients but it does not have general recommendation.