Figure 4. Schematic showing underlying hypothesis for treatment of early caries using P₁₁−4 self assembling peptides.

(1) Early caries appears as a 'white spot' on the enamel surface (^*), this is due to the underlying porosity in the tissue (2). Aqueous P₁₁−4 in its monomeric form applied to the lesion surface (3) will penetrate in to the pores due to its low viscosity (4). Self-assembly is triggered by the conditions (pH <7.4, presence of salts) within the lesion forming fibres (5) which can nucleate hydroxyapatite mineral (6). This restores both the enamel mineral and the natural appearance (7) of the original lesion