Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (14): 3726-3735.doi: 10.12307/2025.590

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Role of enamel demineralization and remineralization in orthodontic treatment

Ma Xinyu, Li Mengying, Li Huang, Han Lei   

  1. Department of Orthodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital · Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University, Institute of Stomatology of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2025-02-20 Accepted:2025-04-17 Online:2026-05-18 Published:2025-09-15
  • Contact: Han Lei, MD, Associate chief physician, Department of Orthodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital · Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University, Institute of Stomatology of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
  • About author:Ma Xinyu, Master candidate, Department of Orthodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital · Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University, Institute of Stomatology of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Nanjing Medical Science and Technology Development Fund Project, No. ZKX23055 (to HL); Lhasa Key Science and Technology Project (Jiangsu Aid Tibet), No. LSKJ202434 (to HL); 2024 Annual Research Program for Regulatory Science in Pharmaceuticals, Jiangsu Province No. 202430 (to HL); High-Level Hospital Construction Project of Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, No. 0224C046 (to HL)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Enamel demineralization, as one of the common syndromes during orthodontic treatment, is mostly caused by patients’ poor dietary habits and neglect of oral hygiene while wearing appliances. It usually manifests as shapeless, opaque, chalky lesions on enamel surface (white spot lesions).
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes of enamel demineralization, as well as current clinical research status and progress of remineralization methods for enamel demineralization during orthodontic treatment by reviewing the literature. 
METHODS: We searched articles about enamel demineralization and remineralization in PubMed, CNKI, and WanFang databases with the keywords including “orthodontics, enamel, demineralization, remineralization, white spot lesions, early enamel caries lesions, clinical applications” in Chinese and English. Finally, 89 articles were included. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Enamel demineralization during orthodontic treatment usually has a negative impact of aesthetics and function on the process and outcome. Though the use of remineralizing agents inhibits unfavorable effects and promotes the redeposition of calcium and phosphate ions on the enamel surface. Common commonly used laboratory methods can monitor the degree of enamel demineralization and remineralization, while longer-term efficacy still needs to be confirmed by further clinical follow-ups.

Key words: stomatology, orthodontics, enamel, demineralization, remineralization, white spot lesions, fluoride, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate complex, hydroxyapatite

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