https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034517740124 Advances in Dental Research 2018, Vol. 29(1) 55–59 © International & American Associations for Dental Research 2018 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0022034517740124 journals.sagepub.com/home/adr Advances Introduction Dental remineralization is the process of bringing minerals from the surrounding environment (i.e., saliva, biofilm) into partially demineralized tooth structures. Remineralization can replace minerals in partially demineralized enamel and dentin (Cochrane et al. 2010) or create amorphous mineral precipi- tates in the intercrystal and interrod spaces. Remineralization can occur naturally or be induced by therapies. Among the available therapies, fluoride (F)–based treatments have the highest level of supporting evidence (Amaechi and van Loveren 2013; Fontana 2016), and the widespread use of fluo- rides is generally considered the main reason for dental caries reduction in most populations. However, currently available F therapies have limited efficacy in some individuals, and at the population level, the effect of F in reducing dental caries prev- alence is reaching a plateau (Haugejorden and Magne Birkeland 2006). Consequently, investigators have been developing new remineralization therapies to close this gap in efficacy. Most new approaches have been designed to enhance the effect of existing F therapies rather than to replace them, but those not involving F might become an alternative for patients reluctant to use F. In this article, we discuss and summarize some of the latest advances in remineralization therapies. Information Search Advances in remineralizing therapies were identified after a broad literature search by using the following terms: reminer- alization, arrest, arrestment, repair, treatment and caries lesion, dental caries, enamel or dentin. PubMed was used to identify published data and other sources, while ClinicalTrials.gov and google.com were used to obtain registered randomized con- trolled trials (RCTs). We prioritized evidence published during the last 5 y. Therapies that only targeted the modification of dental biofilms (e.g., antimicrobials, probiotics, ozone) or created diffusion barriers (e.g., sealants, infiltrants) were excluded, since they do not promote remineralization directly. Antimicrobial therapies combined with other remineralizing therapies (e.g., arginine plus F and calcium) were included in this review. Therapies focused on preventing lesion formation only (not remineralization) were also excluded. Therapies were classi- fied regarding their general putative mechanism of action. For each therapy, we summarized the most recent available evi- dence derived from clinical trials. If recent RCTs were not available, the latest available evidence is presented (in situ or in vitro). Compounds Increasing Mineral Saturation Calcium and phosphate are essential minerals for remineraliza- tion, while F plays a crucial role in enhancing the process. Because remineralization can be hampered by limited bioavail- ability of calcium and phosphate, new product formulations 740124ADR XX X 10.1177/0022034517740124Advances in Dental ResearchGonzález-Cabezas and Fernández research-article 2017 1 Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 2 College of Dental Medicine–Illinois, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA Corresponding Author: C. González-Cabezas, Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, 1011 N. University Room 2395, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA. Email: carlosgc@umich.edu Recent Advances in Remineralization Therapies for Caries Lesions C. González-Cabezas 1 and C.E. Fernández 1,2 Abstract Remineralization of caries lesions is naturally achieved by salivary ions, and it can be enhanced by external factors or elements such as fluoride. Numerous studies have demonstrated the remineralizing efficacy of fluoride therapies as well as the limitations with some groups of the population. Consequently, developing new remineralization therapies to close this gap in efficacy has been a priority for the last 2 decades. In this review, we summarize and briefly discuss some of the latest advances in remineralization therapies. Most new therapies try to enhance the effect of fluoride by adding other potentially active ingredients to the formulation, such as calcium, phosphate, stannous, xylitol, and arginine. Other remineralization strategies have focused on creating remineralizing scaffolds within the lesions (e.g., self-assembling peptides). While several of the new remineralization strategies have progressed significantly in recent years, for most of them, the evidence is still insufficient to assess their true clinical potential. Keywords: fluorides, calcium, phosphate, arginine, stannous, peptides