Mi Paste

How the MI Paste^® Family Works

MI Paste^® products release RECALDENT^® (CPP-ACP) - a natural milk protein peptide that adheres to soft tissue, plaque, pellicle, and enamel’s hydroxyapatite delivering amorphous calcium and phosphate (ACP) into the saliva. The mechanism of action is similar to that of the salivary protein statherin and the supply of bio-available calcium and phosphate is able to drive remineralization by Fluoride (MI Paste Plus®, MI Paste^® ONE Kids, MI Paste^® ONE Perio, and MI Paste^® ONE), buffer acid, and reduce the plaque acid effect on tooth structure.

An Analysis of the chemistry of demineralization and remineralization

indicates that a major source of mineral loss in the caries process is the destruction of apatite with the creation of water as a by-product, and the leakage of a neutral species calcium hydrogen phosphate across a porous enamel surface.

When placed on the surface of a tooth, RECALDENT^® (CPP-ACP) interacts with hydrogen ions and forms the same species calcium hydrogen phosphate which, under a diffusion gradient, can enter the tooth, react with and consume the water to produce enamel mineral, thereby removing subsurface mineral defects.

MI Paste Plus®, MI Paste^® ONE Kids, MI Paste^® ONE Perio, and MI Paste^® ONE treatments of enamel subsurface caries have been shown to cause rapid remineralization, which causes a change in the appearance of the lesions.

Any incipient white spot lesions which are developing because of cariogenic plaque can be treated locally with RECALDENT^® (CPP-ACP) to achieve subsurface remineralization by Fluoride (MI Paste Plus®, MI Paste^® ONE Kids, MI Paste^® ONE Perio, and MI Paste^® ONE). This may occur in fairly short periods of time – in the order of two to four weeks.

Caution: RECALDENT^® (CPP-ACP) is derived from milk casein. Do not use on patients with a milk protein or hydroxybenzoates allergy. In case of allergic reaction, stop use, rinse mouth with water, and seek medical advice.

Figures and text curtesy of Dr. Steven Steinberg

Figure 1: Bacteria in the plaque on the attacked tooth surface metabolize available sugar and produce acid. That acid (depicted in Figure 1 as hydrogen ions) penetrate the solid, yet microscopically permeable tooth surface.
Figure 2: The acid drives calcium and phosphate out of the subsurface tissue, thus, demineralizing it. The result is an initial white spot lesion.
Figure 3: Since the tooth surface is intact, the reverse biochemical process can occur. Saliva buffering can reverse the low pH in the plaque and with the raised pH, calcium and phosphate are delivered back into the tooth.
Figure 4: Remineralization of the tooth. The key is the integrity of the tooth surface; if it remains intact, uncavitated, remineralization is possible.