Advances in enamel remineralization: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate

Casein phosphopeptides (CPP) are multi-phosphorylated peptides from an enzy matic digest of the bovine milk protein casein. These peptides have a remar kable ability to stabilize calcium phosphate in solution as amorphous calci um phosphate (ACP). Through their multiple phosphoseryl residues, the CPP b ind to forming nanoclusters of ACP in metastable solution, preventing their growth to the critical size required for nucleation and phase transformati ons. The casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP: Recald ent(TM)) nano clusters have been shown to localize at the tooth surface and prevent caries in laboratory, animal and human in situ caries models. The CPP-ACP have also been shown to remineralize enamel subsurface lesions in v itro and in situ when delivered in a sugar-free chewing gum. The proposed a nticariogenic mechanism for CPP-ACP is the localization of ACP at the tooth surface which buffers the free calcium and phosphate ion activities, there by helping to maintain a state of supersaturation with respect to tooth ena mel, depressing demineralization and enhancing remineralization. The CPP-AC P have potential as an additive to foods and oral care products for the con trol of dental caries.