IADR Abstract Archives
Control of Crystal Morphology in Enamel Remineralization Using Doped Ions
Objectives: To investigate the impact of various levels of doped bivalent ions, such as Mg, Zn, Sn, and Sr ions in combination with fluorine (F), on the morphological changes observed during the growth of calcium phosphate crystals on acid-etched enamel surfaces.
Methods: Human molars were extracted and cut into 1 mm thick sections, which were subsequently treated with a 5% HNO3 solution for 30 seconds, rinsed with distilled water, and immersed in 20 mL scintillation vials containing a Biomimetic mineralization solution (BMS). The BMS was prepared using a supersaturated solution comprised of CaCl2 and KH2PO4. Doped ions, including F, Mg, Sn, Zn, Sr, and an experimental ionic mix named EnamelStrongTM, were introduced into the BMS in separate vials. The specimens were then incubated for 16-24 hours at 37 °C to initiate crystal growth on the etched enamel surfaces. Subsequent examination of the remineralized crystal morphology on enamel surfaces and the crystal elemental composition was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), respectively.
Results: Figure 1 illustrates the diverse crystal morphologies observed under different ionic conditions. In the presence of strontium, crystal morphology remained plate-like, resembling the control BMS group, but increasing strontium concentrations led to the development of denser and curved plates. The application of the experimental ionic mix resulted in the formation of a continuous, dense remineralized layer with excellent interface integrity.
Conclusions: This study reveals that crystal morphologies during the enamel remineralization process can be controlled through the manipulation of different types and concentrations of doped ions. The synergistic effects of fluoride and bivalent cationic ions were found to significantly influence enamel crystal growth, affecting crystal morphology, density, composition, and potentially crystallographic structure. The utilization of the experimental ionic mix holds promise in facilitating effective enamel remineralization by constructing a protective layer on the tooth surfaces.
Methods: Human molars were extracted and cut into 1 mm thick sections, which were subsequently treated with a 5% HNO3 solution for 30 seconds, rinsed with distilled water, and immersed in 20 mL scintillation vials containing a Biomimetic mineralization solution (BMS). The BMS was prepared using a supersaturated solution comprised of CaCl2 and KH2PO4. Doped ions, including F, Mg, Sn, Zn, Sr, and an experimental ionic mix named EnamelStrongTM, were introduced into the BMS in separate vials. The specimens were then incubated for 16-24 hours at 37 °C to initiate crystal growth on the etched enamel surfaces. Subsequent examination of the remineralized crystal morphology on enamel surfaces and the crystal elemental composition was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), respectively.
Results: Figure 1 illustrates the diverse crystal morphologies observed under different ionic conditions. In the presence of strontium, crystal morphology remained plate-like, resembling the control BMS group, but increasing strontium concentrations led to the development of denser and curved plates. The application of the experimental ionic mix resulted in the formation of a continuous, dense remineralized layer with excellent interface integrity.
Conclusions: This study reveals that crystal morphologies during the enamel remineralization process can be controlled through the manipulation of different types and concentrations of doped ions. The synergistic effects of fluoride and bivalent cationic ions were found to significantly influence enamel crystal growth, affecting crystal morphology, density, composition, and potentially crystallographic structure. The utilization of the experimental ionic mix holds promise in facilitating effective enamel remineralization by constructing a protective layer on the tooth surfaces.
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