As time passes by, our knowledge regarding the different ways of oral remineralization have improved; leading us to a better understanding of the concepts of biomimetic regeneration and the more recent technologies that goes on the other side from fluoride-mediated remineralization. One of the recent remineralizing technologies is the self-assembling peptide (SAP) which is considered as an ideal enamel regenerative approach. Its composition has a great effect on calcium ions affinity, grabbing these ions and depositing them on a de novo needle-shaped hydroxyapatite mesh work leading to better in-depth penetration remineralization of demineralized lesions. Its mode of application is to ensure a clean enamel surface, then start the surface pretreatment by applying sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), followed by acid etching with phosphoric acid gel. Pretreating enamel surface with NaOCl prior to acid etching acts as a deproteinizing agent removing the organic elements and the acquired salivary pellicle from the surface; this significantly increases enamel’s surface retention up to 94.47% and enhances penetrative depths. The application of NaOCl after acid etching during the process of surface pretreatment has been discussed in literature proving its effect in enhancing the shear bond strength values, increasing the penetration and retention of adhesive resins compared to the conventional way of only acid etch the enamel surface, and affects the surface roughness of enamel surface with the minimum percentage of surface loss. Upon all these findings regarding using NaOCl as an enamel surface pretreatment and SAP remineralization capabilities, it was found thought- provoking to study the effect of applying NaOCl as a deproteinizing agent after acid etching of demineralized sound enamel structure with the aim of minimizing loss of surface enamel, exposure of more reactive enamel, and creation of porosities that may allow for more rapid uptake of remineralizing solution as assessed by surface microhardness testing. 

Amira Elwazir graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry, Misr International University (MIU), Egypt in 2014. Finished my Masters in Dental Surgery from MIU in 2020 and proudly published my first thesis in 2021. Dedicated dentist with six years of practical experience with an interest in scientific research writing.