New Meta-Analysis in Renowned Dental Journal states Effectiveness of Hydroxyapatite in Cavity Protection

Hydroxyapatite is an active ingredient used in oral care products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes for caries prevention. The unique aspect of this ingredient is its high similarity to natural enamel crystallites (biomimetic principle). Recently, a new publication on the current state of research regarding the efficacy of hydroxyapatite in caries prevention was published in the internationally renowned Journal of Dentistry (Elsevier). The authors of this publication are dental researchers from Canada, Poland, and the USA, as well as scientists from the research departement of Dr. Wolff Group. 

The aim of the publication was first to conduct a systematic literature search to identify studies that have investigated the efficacy of hydroxyapatite in caries prevention. For this purpose, only clinical studies and in situ studies were included. The search was conducted in various scientifically relevant databases: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science. In the second step, the identified studies were evaluated using statistical analyses (meta-analyses) to assess the efficacy of hydroxyapatite in caries prevention based on scientifically established methods. 

After an intensive review of the literature, 5 clinical studies and 8 in situ studies were identified and included in the meta-analyses. Four of the five clinical studies were published from 2019 onwards, indicating that these studies were conducted according to the latest standards of clinical research. The available clinical studies show that fluoride-free hydroxyapatite toothpastes are not inferior to fluoride toothpastes in caries prevention. The in situ studies confirm these results and provide detailed information on the mechanisms of action of hydroxyapatite in caries prevention. Hydroxyapatite effectively remineralizes carious lesions and significantly reduces bacterial adhesion to the tooth surface. 

Hydroxyapatite is a safe and effective active ingredient for caries prevention. The evidence for the efficacy of fluoride-free hydroxyapatite oral care products has been further strengthened by new studies. Even if accidentally swallowed, hydroxyapatite is safe, making it an ideal ingredient for oral care products for babies and children, in addition to its use by adults. 

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_{¹ The publication, including all details and results, is freely accessible (Open Access): M. Pawinska, E. Paszynska, B.T. Amaechi, F. Meyer, J. Enax, H. Limeback, Clinical evidence of caries prevention by hydroxyapatite: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Dentistry 151 (2024) 105429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105429. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39471896}