Compositions and methods for promoting mineralization

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions for uses including mineralizing a dental surface, in particular tooth enamel. Methods of mineralizing hypomineralized lesions (including subsurface lesions) in the tooth enamel caused by various means including dental caries, dental corrosion and fluorosis are also provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of mineralizing a dental surface or sub-surface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (ACFP), and simultaneously or subsequently, heating the dental surface or subsurface to which the stabilized ACP and/or ACFP has been, or is being, applied to a temperature greater than 37° C. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of mineralizing a dental surface or sub-surface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with a liquid composition comprising greater than 20% w/v stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (ACFP).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.