Biomimetic Self-Maturation Mineralization System for Enamel Repair.

Enamel repair is crucial for restoring tooth function and halting dental caries. However, contemporary research often overlooks the retention of organic residues within the repair layer, which hinders the growth of dense crystals and compromises the properties of the repaired enamel. During maturation of natural enamel, the organic matrix undergoes enzymatic processing to facilitate further crystal growth, resulting in a highly mineralized tissue. Inspired by this process, a biomimetic self-maturation mineralization system was developed, comprising RNA-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (RNA-ACP) and RNase. The RNA-ACP induced initial mineralization in the form of epitaxial crystal growth, while the RNase present in saliva automatically triggered a biomimetic self-maturation process. Mechanistic study further indicated that RNA degradation prompted conformational rearrangement of the RNA-ACP, effectively excluding the organic matter introduced earlier. This exclusion process promoted lateral crystal growth, resulting in the generation of denser enamel-like apatite crystals that were devoid of organic residues. This strategy of eliminating organic residues from enamel crystals enhanced the mechanical and physiochemical properties of the repaired enamel. The present study introduces a conceptual biomimetic mineralization strategy for effective enamel repair in clinical practice, and offers potential insights into the mechanisms of biomineral formation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.