Mechanical integrity of dental hard tissues during demineralization-remineralization: a review of bioceramic and remineralizing materials

Dental hard tissues are naturally mineralized ceramic-organic composites whose mechanical performance is governed by their hierarchical microstructure, mineral composition, and structure-property relationship. This mini-review summarizes the effects of demineralization and remineralization on the mechanical behavior of enamel, dentin, and the dentin-enamel junction. The classification of remineralizing materials, including fluoride-based systems, hydroxyapatite, nano-hydroxyapatite, amorphous calcium phosphate, beta-tricalcium phosphate, bioactive glass, calcium silicates, biomimetic peptides, natural products, and multifunctional restorative composites, is discussed from a ceramic materials perspective. Micro indentation and nanoindentation techniques are reviewed for evaluating instrumented indentation hardness (HIT) and indentation modulus (EIT), while dynamic mechanical analysis is briefly addressed for assessing viscoelastic behavior in dental tissues and restorative polymer-based systems. Overall, this review highlights how bioceramic remineralizing materials can support mineral recovery, mechanical reinforcement, and long-term functional performance of dental hard tissues.