Abstract
The purpose of this study was to synthesize nano-sized β-tricalcium phosphate (nano-TCP) particles and determine its concentration-dependent properties on incipient enamel caries lesions. Nano-TCP was synthesized as a wet chemical through a method using low concentration of precursors and low addition rate of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate as a second phase. Morphology and phase composition of the particles were analyzed by SEM, XRD, and EDXA techniques. Incipient enamel lesions were created in human premolars with an acidic buffer. The teeth were then incubated in aqueous dispersions of nano-TCP as remineralization solutions. Sodium fluoride solution and deionized water were used as positive and negative control groups, respectively. The quality and thickness of the remineralized layer on enamel were investigated using SEM. The data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey’s test. The synthesized nano-TCP mostly consisted of porous platelet-like crystals of 50–100 nm thickness and pore diameters of 100–300 nm. SEM observation showed that a homogenous layer was formed on the surface of the enamels remineralized in nano-TCP solutions. The thickness of the mineralized layer was dependent on the incubation time and nano-TCP concentration.
Highlights
With deeper knowledge gained on processes involved in formation of dental caries and the factors affecting the development of caries lesions in tooth structure, it has been revealed that the lesions are reversible in early stages through applying appropriate changes to the dynamic equilibrium of demineralization/remineralization process (Peters 2010; Selwitz et al 2007; Young and Featherstone 2010)
High stability in body temperature, pH, and physiological liquids are the problems associated with the nano-hydroxyapatite (Cochrane et al 2010), while the presence of bioavailable calcium and phosphate ions in the reduced pH (< 5.5) is necessary for remineralization of enamel caries lesions
Since the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of the TCP solutions as mouth-wash on incipient enamel caries lesions, first the substance was prepared at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 wt% in small experimental amounts as a pilot to analyze the precipitation rate and the possibility of application as mouth wash
Summary
With deeper knowledge gained on processes involved in formation of dental caries and the factors affecting the development of caries lesions in tooth structure, it has been revealed that the lesions are reversible in early stages through applying appropriate changes to the dynamic equilibrium of demineralization/remineralization process (Peters 2010; Selwitz et al 2007; Young and Featherstone 2010). In the presence of fluoride, the enamel crystals that are mainly composed of hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] are replaced by fluorapatite or fluorohydroxy apatite, which makes enamel more resistant against caries. Fluoride facilitates reprecipitation of the released calcium and phosphate ions on. Progress in Biomaterials (2019) 8:261–276 et al 2012; Li et al 2014) have drawn considerable attention due to their biocompatibility, chemical stability, wear resistance, and chemical and structural similarity to natural enamel hydroxyapatite (Cochrane et al 2010). High stability in body temperature, pH (above 4.3), and physiological liquids are the problems associated with the nano-hydroxyapatite (Cochrane et al 2010), while the presence of bioavailable calcium and phosphate ions in the reduced pH (< 5.5) is necessary for remineralization of enamel caries lesions
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