The course aims to provide students with an overview of the main inorganic compounds present in biological systems and their role in physiological processes. Particular attention will be devoted to ionic equilibria in biological fluids, acid–base balance, and the chemical processes involved in the mineralization and demineralization of dental tissues.
At the end of the course, students are expected to understand the role of biologically relevant inorganic ions, the mechanisms of acid–base equilibria and buffer systems, and the chemical principles underlying the structure and stability of mineralized tissues such as dental enamel.
Course Prerequisites
Understanding the topics covered in this course requires basic knowledge of general chemistry and biochemistry acquired in the prerequisite courses of the degree programme.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of guided discussions of scientific articles and topics of relevance to dental sciences.
Assessment Methods
Student assessment consists of a brief oral discussion on the topics covered during the course.
Contents
The course explores the chemistry of dental tissues and the processes that regulate enamel mineralization and demineralization. The chemical mechanisms underlying dental caries, the role of saliva and biologically relevant ions, and modern remineralization strategies will be discussed. The course also examines the role of the main inorganic compounds in biological systems and dental tissues. Topics include ionic equilibria in biological fluids, buffer systems, and the main ions of biological relevance, including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate.
Particular attention will be devoted to the chemical processes involved in the mineralization and demineralization of dental tissues, the structure and properties of hydroxyapatite, and the role of chemical factors in the stability of dental enamel.
