A new remineralisation technology has been developed based upon phosphopeptides from milk casein. These casein phospho-peptides (CPP) contain multiphosphoseryl sequences that have the ability to stabilise calcium phosphate in nanocomplexes in solution as amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). Through their multiple phosphoseryl sequences, the CPP bind to ACP in metastable solution thus preventing its growth to the critical size required for nucleation and phase transformation to an insoluble crystalline calcium phosphate. The casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomplexes (CPP-ACP) have been shown to localize at the tooth surface and prevent enamel demineralisation. They will also remineralise enamel subsurface lesions in situ and in vivo when delivered in consumer oral care and professional products. The CPP-ACP interact with fluoride ions to produce an amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate stabilised by the CPP at the tooth surface. This provides soluble calcium, fluoride and phosphate ions to promote remineralisation with fluorapatite that is more resistant to acid challenge. Oral care products containing CPP-ACP (Recaldent) are now commercially available in two different forms –
1. Tooth Mousse is a gel type application for use in a plastic splint to be applied in cases of rampant caries. Apply once or twice a day for 30 minutes.
2. Chewing gum. This is a sugarless form and can be used any time. To be chewed for at least ten minutes up to five times per day