Dentine, the predominant structural element of the tooth, exhibits varying structural components, properties and mineralisation patterns across different regions. During dentinogenesis, diverse non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) play essential and varied roles in the mineralisation process. This paper systematically reviews the spatial distribution of NCPs across different dentine substructures and highlights their multifarious functions and collaborative interplay in governing the intricate mineralisation process. Specifically focusing on phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins, this review underscores their precisely programmed dynamic balance in orchestrating a series of distinct morphological patterns of dentinal substructures with varying degrees of mineralisation. By discussing the collaboration and balance of NCPs in dentine mineralisation, this paper also aims to advance the understanding of biomineralisation and provide valuable insights into developing highly biomimetic remineralisation strategies for dental applications.
Keywords: biomineralisation, collagen matrix, dentine, hydroxyapatite, non-collagenous proteins
