IADR Abstract Archives
Toothpaste Containing Cuttlefish Bone Powder for Calculus Removal
Objectives: Dental calculus removal is critical for maintaining adequate periodontal health. Most anti-calculus toothpastes can prevent calculus formation, however their ability to remove calculus without damaging the tooth structures is very limited. The Cuttlefish bone (CB) is an ultra-lightweight and high stiffness natural biomineral derived from the cuttlefish that has a unique micro architecture consisting of highly organized aragonite micro crystals with high aspect ratios. Since aragonite has a hardness comparable to that of calculus, and high aspect ratio crystals can provide wear abrasiveness against brittle materials such as calculus, we hypothesize that CB powder could have optimal wear abrasiveness for calculus removal. To test our hypothesis, we characterized the physical and chemical properties of CB powder and determine its effectiveness as abrasive for calculus removal.
Methods: CB powder was characterized for its specific surface area, particle size, chemical composition (XRD, FTIR), and Morphology (SEM) compared to synthetic calcite powder. Slurries of CB and calcite were used to brush Calculus, dentin, and enamel samples. The effect of slurries on the calculus removal was determined by measuring the abrasion depth using a stylus profilometer.
Results: CB particles were negatively charged made of aragonite and traces of chitin a polysaccharide with anti-inflammatory properties as shown by Zeta potential, XRD and FTIR analysis. The SEM shows that the CB has needle shaped particles, with specific surface area of higher than the cubic forms detected in case of calcite. The wear abrasiveness test shows that CB selectively abrade calculus without damaging enamel and dentin. The CB is significantly twice more effective in calculus removal (p < 0.05) compared to calcite. The CB removed (60.19 ±3.54 μm) calculus compared to (29.28 ± 5.74 μm) removed in case of using Calcite as abrasive.
Conclusions: Cuttlebone toothpaste is more effective than calcite in removing calculus, without damaging the teeth structure.
Methods: CB powder was characterized for its specific surface area, particle size, chemical composition (XRD, FTIR), and Morphology (SEM) compared to synthetic calcite powder. Slurries of CB and calcite were used to brush Calculus, dentin, and enamel samples. The effect of slurries on the calculus removal was determined by measuring the abrasion depth using a stylus profilometer.
Results: CB particles were negatively charged made of aragonite and traces of chitin a polysaccharide with anti-inflammatory properties as shown by Zeta potential, XRD and FTIR analysis. The SEM shows that the CB has needle shaped particles, with specific surface area of higher than the cubic forms detected in case of calcite. The wear abrasiveness test shows that CB selectively abrade calculus without damaging enamel and dentin. The CB is significantly twice more effective in calculus removal (p < 0.05) compared to calcite. The CB removed (60.19 ±3.54 μm) calculus compared to (29.28 ± 5.74 μm) removed in case of using Calcite as abrasive.
Conclusions: Cuttlebone toothpaste is more effective than calcite in removing calculus, without damaging the teeth structure.
