The effect of calcium phosphate ion clusters in enhancing enamel conditions versus Duraphat and Icon.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the remineralisation, mechanical, anti-aging, acid resistance and antibacterial properties of calcium phosphate ion clusters (CPICs) materials with those of Duraphat and Icon. The remineralisation and mechanical properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nanoindentation. CPICs induced epitaxial crystal growth on the enamel surface, where the regrown enamel-like apatite layers had a similar hardness and elastic modulus to natural enamel (p > 0.05). Acid resistance and anti-aging properties were tested based on ion dissolution and surface roughness. CPICs exhibited similar calcium and phosphate ion dissolution to the control (p > 0.05), and its roughness decreased after thermocycling (p < 0.05), thereby decreasing the risk of enamel surface demineralisation. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.1 mg/ml, and the minimum bactericidal concentration ranged from 0.05 to 0.1 mg/ml. Overall, this biomimetic CPICs is a promising alternative to dental demineralisation.