Effects of strontium-containing fluorophosphate glasses for enhancing bioactivity and enamel remineralization

Abstract

The effect of strontium on the structure, apatite-forming ability, bioactivity, and enamel remineralization capability of 48P2O5-29CaO-3CaF2-(20-x)Na2O-xSrO fluorophosphate glasses (FPGs) was investigated. The apatite-forming ability of the SrFP samples was assessed by immersing them in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for 21 days. X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, X-ray photon spectrometer, and scanning electron microscope coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer were used to analyze the structural variation and apatite-forming capability of all the SrFP samples before and after being soaked in SBF solution. Cytotoxicity studies of the prepared samples were conducted by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay using human osteoblast-like MG-63 cell lines. It was found that 6 mol% Sr-doped FPGs has the better apatite-forming ability, increased cell viability, and enhanced bioactivity out of all the prepared glass samples. The remineralization efficacy of 6 mol% Sr-doped FPGs was evident from greater mineral deposits and increased microhardness values on teeth surface while compared to those of commercially available silica-based glass gel. The results obtained from the investigation showed that the glass sample containing 6 mol% of SrO content could be beneficial in therapeutic applications of teeth and bone tissue regeneration.