MinDenT®: Next-gen dental remineralisation where bioactive glass meets phytosphingosine

Introduction: Dentin hypersensitivity is a common problem occurring in majority of the elderly population, due to carious or non-carious loss of tooth structure. Commercially available remineralising agents replenish and restore only the superficial inorganic mineral phase of these lesions, without stabilizing the organic collagen network. Hence, the proposed study focusses on developing a strontium-based flurorophosphate glass (SrFPG) incorporated with phytosphingosine (PHS) for rejuvenation of the lost minerals as well as organic collagen matrix for dental remineralisation. Furthermore, it will also synergistically promote adhesion, and improve the antibacterial activity, providing wholistic and long-lasting treatment for hypersensitivity. Aim: To develop a strontium-based fluorophosphate (SrFPG) glass incorporated with Phytosphingosine for treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. Methodology: 6.5% PHS was incorporated with 6% SrFPG in varying proportions and characterized. Antimicrobial activity of the material was assessed against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Teeth specimens (N=104) were subjected to de-mineralisation procedure by immersing in an acidic medium for 48 h. Microhardness (n=50) and collagen stabilization (n=54) of the specimens before and after the treatment was analysed using Vickers microhardness tester and hydroxyproline assay respectively. Results: XRD revealed the presence of crystalline hydroxyapatite and FTIR confirmed the presence of apatite calcium phosphate and fluorapatite layers. The highest antibacterial efficacy was observed in the PHS group against Streptococcus mutans and Staphlycoccus aureus. The microhardness value increased in all the samples treated with SrFPG-PHS combination, this increase being directly proportional to the concentration of SrFPG. The collagen concentration in the SrFPG-PHS group was comparable to that of the PHS group and significantly higher than that of the other groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, SrFPG- PHS proves to be a promising collagen-mediated biomineralization material which can facilitate intra and interfibrillar apatite deposition that can provide long term treatment for dentine hypersensitivity.