Abstract
The study focuses on in vitro tracing of some fundamental changes that emerge in teeth at the initial stage of caries development using multiple approaches. The research was conducted on a mostly sound maxillary molar tooth but with a clearly visible natural proximal white spot lesion (WSL). Values of mineral density, reduced Young’s modulus, indentation hardness and creep as well as the molecular composition and surface microstructure of the WSL and bordering dentine area were studied. The results obtained were compared to those of sound enamel and dentine on the same tooth. A decrease of mechanical properties and mineral density both for the WSL and bordering dentine was detected in comparison to the sound counterparts, as well as increase of creep for the enamel WSL. Differences in molecular composition and surface microstructure (including the indenter impressions) were found and described. WSL induces a serious change in the state of not only the visually affected enamel but also surrounding visually intact enamel and dentine in its vicinity. The results provide the basis for future studies of efficacy of minimal invasive treatments of caries.
Highlights
The study of caries from a materials and microstructural point of view, in addition to conventional bitewing X-ray techniques [1,2], provides a better understanding of the changes in the carious enamel and affected dentine
We investigated four oval areas of the tooth: 1. natural enamel white spot lesion (WSL); 2. dentine bordering the WSL; 3. area of sound enamel on the opposite medial side of the tooth; 4. dentine bordering the area of sound enamel
OOppttiiccaall OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnss Figure 1 shows the cross-section of the tooth crown through the WSL along with the surrounding enamFeilg,udreen1tisnheo–wensatmheelcrjuonssc-tsieocntiaonndodf ethnetitnoeo.th crown through the WSL along with the surrounding enamel, dentine–enamel junction and dentine
Summary
The study of caries from a materials and microstructural point of view, in addition to conventional bitewing X-ray techniques [1,2], provides a better understanding of the changes in the carious enamel and affected dentine. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables quantification of the surface roughness parameters for the carious lesions representing another method for testing of different clinical treatments such as bleaching agents [11] or detailed observation of the enamel demineralization process [12]. This tool is mostly suitable for localized regions of interest. The combination of different techniques provides the possibility to overcome limitations and helps to understand the processes occurring inside carious tissues [14,15]
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