Enamel crystals are unique in shape, orientation and organization. They are hundreds of thousands times longer than they are wide, run parallel to each other, are oriented with respect to the ameloblast membrane at the mineralization front and are organized into rod or interrod enamel. The classical theory of amelogenesis postulates that extracellular matrix proteins shape crystallites by specifically inhibiting ion deposition on the crystal sides, orient them by binding multiple crystallites and establish higher levels of crystal organization. Elements of the classical theory are supported in principle by in vitro studies; however, the classical theory does not explain how enamel forms in vivo. In this review, we describe how amelogenesis is highly integrated with ameloblast cell activities and how the shape, orientation and organization of enamel mineral ribbons are established by a mineralization front apparatus along the secretory surface of the ameloblast cell membrane.
Ameloblasts ; chemistry ; cytology ; Amelogenesis ; physiology ; Basement Membrane ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; Dental Enamel Proteins ; secretion ; Humans ; Tooth Calcification

The main mineral component of natural tooth was determined as calcium apatite many years ago; most of them exist in the form of hydroxyapatite with different crystallites. If a tooth decayed, the crystalline of hydroxyapatite would be changed and decomposed. In our experiment, a natural tooth with caries was measured by high resolution XRD equipment: X'pert Pro. Three spots which included normal enamel, normal dentin and caries tissue were analyzed. The results showed that tooth was a kind of biological mixed crystal composed of many crystal phases, the main crystal phase was hydroxyapatite. From normal enamel to normal dentin and to caries tissue, the length of the a-axis of hydroxyapatite crystallite increased, the length of the c-axis of hydroxyapatite crystallite remained unchanged. The crystal sizes were: normal enamel D002 = 27.600 nm; normal dentin D002 = 16.561 nm; caries tissue D002 = 13.163 nm. Crystallinity: normal enamel>normal dentin>caries tissue. According to our experiment, tooth could be conveniently studied by high resolution microdiffracion XRD equipment.
Dental Caries ; metabolism ; Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; Dentin ; chemistry ; Humans ; Tooth ; chemistry ; X-Ray Diffraction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of various active groups grafted on the enamel surface by means of self assembly on enamel biomineralization.

METHODSThe enamel was prepared by immersing the bicuspid tooth into 1 mmol/L ethanolic solution of a omega-functionalized (omega=PO4H2, SO3H, COOH or OH) group and deionized water solution of HSCH2CH2SO3Na for 24 h at room temperature. The contact angles and infrared (IR) images were used to identify the morphological changes of the enamel with chemisorption of the functional groups.

RESULTSThe contact angles and IR images showed that the omega-functionalized (omega=-PO4H2, -SO3H, -COOH, -OH or -CH3) group was chemisorbed on the enamel surface.

CONCLUSIONSelf assembled monolayers with omega-functionalized (omega=-PO4H2, -SO3H, -COOH, -OH or -CH3) group can be successfully formed on the enamel surface by hydrolyzation.

Dental Cements ; chemistry ; Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; Humans ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; chemistry ; Phosphorus Compounds ; chemistry ; Surface Properties ; Tooth Demineralization ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of base layer thickness of DyadFlow(DF) self-adhesive resin on dentin bonding strength.

METHODSTwenty extracted intact human molars were randomly selected and the occlusal surface of each molar was prepared by removing the enamel and exposing the dentin surface. The prepared molars were divided, randomly and equally, into 4 groups. For groups G0.5, G1.0 and G2.0, DF was applied directly on the dentin surfaces following the manufacturer's instruction, and for group GOB, OptiBond All-in-One(OB) self etching adhesive was applied on the dentin surface before using DF. The base layer thickness of DF was 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.0 mm for groups G0.5, G1.0, G2.0 and GOB, respectively. Composite crown were built up on each tooth, then the samples were sectioned longitudinally into sticks with proximately 1.0 mm2 bonding area(for microtensile bond strength[MTBS] testing) or slabs (for bonding interface observation with SEM). Fifteen sticks were obtained for each group. The fracture surface was also observed using SEM and the fracture type of each specimen was determined.

RESULTSThe MTBS were: GOB (20.19±3.11) MPa>G0.5 (8.65±1.58) MPa>G1.0 (6.65±1.13) MPa>G2.0 (5.70±0.60) MPa(P<0.05). Bonding interface fracture B2 was most frequently observed for all groups: G0.5: 14/15, G1.0: 13/15, G2.0: 14/15 and GOB: 13/15.

CONCLUSIONSThe MTBS decreased when the base layer thickness of DF increased. Direct application of DF self-adhesive resin on dentin surface adhesive restorations should be concerned.

Adhesives ; chemistry ; Crowns ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; chemistry ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molar ; Resin Cements ; chemistry ; Tensile Strength

This study sought to determine the impact of dental fluorosis severity on demineralization and remineralization of human fluorosed teeth in vitro. Surface enamel microhardness was measured on the enamel blocks before and after demineralization and after remineralization. The results showed that after demineralization, the sequence of % Surface microhardness demineralization (% SMHD) was TFI4 (18.92 +/- 1.31) < TFI3 (20.50 +/- 1.32) < TFI2 (25.08 +/- 1.69) < TFI1 (27.77 +/- 1.79) < TFI0 (30.70 +/- 1.35) (P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant differences between TFI1 (27.77 +/- 1.79) and the normal group TFI0 (30.70 +/- 1.35). After remineralization, the sequence of % Surface microhardness remineralization (% SMHR) was TFI1 (55.17 +/- 1.23) > TFI0 (53.97 +/- 3.05) > TFI2 (49.17 +/- 1.81) > TFI3 (44.85 +/- 1.89) > TFI4 (36.51 +/- 2.95) (P < 0.05). Moderately fluorosed enamel showed a significatnt resistance to caries, but mildly fluorosed enamel could get better remineralization. These facts and figures deserve clinicians' attention.
Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; pathology ; Fluorosis, Dental ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Tooth Demineralization ; Tooth Remineralization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of pulse Nd: YAG laser combined with NaF on caries resistance of human enamel in vitro.

METHODS24 caries-free, constant premolares were cut into enamel mass. Surface ultrastructure and fluoride distribution of enamel in laser-NaF treated group, laser treated group, NaF treated group and control group were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron probe microanalyzer.

RESULTS(1) SEM observation: In laser-NaF treated group, the smear layer was almost removed, the enamel surface showed partially melted-like and bubble-like appearance, diffuse white-small particles distributed on enamel surface, and melted position, microcrack and microhole appeared whitely blocking-reflection. (2) Electron probe microanalyzer analysis: In enamel samples, the highest average Ci of F- and the hightest depth which F- entered in enamel were recorded in the laser-NaF treated group. The average Ci of F- in laser-NaF treated group was significantly increased compared with that in NaF-treated group or laser-treated group or control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe pulsed Nd:YAG laser combined with sodium fluoride could make the enamel surface partially melt, change the structure of the crystal, enhance the absorption of fluoride, and clear smear layer. This technology may resist the caries.

Dental Enamel ; ultrastructure ; Fluorides ; chemistry ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Smear Layer ; Sodium Fluoride ; chemistry

We present the binding ability of a new peptide (CMPQVMPMC-) with dental enamel after being evaluated in the present study. Under a standard procedure, the recovery of M13 filamentous phage was greatly enhanced by displaying the peptide in phage coat protein p III. Then the cyclic peptide was synthesized using a solid method. The effect of the cyclic peptide in vitro biomineralization was tested in a single-diffusion microtiter plate gel system. Absorbance at 405 nm of each sample was recorded for 24 h at every 6 h intervals. The relatively increased values of each sample were expressed as percentages relative to the blank group (100%). The cyclic peptide resulted in a concentration-dependent delayed nucleation. In addition, the overall values of peptide groups at the end of 24 h were lower than those in the control group but much higher than those in the BSA control group.
Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; Peptides ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Protein Binding ; Tooth Calcification

OBJECTIVETo compare the penetration abilities of resin infiltration into proximal lesions in primary molars with those of adhesive in vitro.

METHODSThirty-two extracted or exfoliated primary molars showing proximal white spot lesions were selected. Roots of the teeth were removed, and the crowns were cut across the white spot lesions perpendicular to the surface. Cut surfaces were examined (by stereo microscopy) and classified with respect to histological lesion extension (C1-C4): lesions confined to the outer half on enamel (C1), lesions confined to the inner half on enamel (C2), lesions confined to the outer half on dentin (C3), lesions extending into the inner half of dentin (C4). Corresponding lesion halves were etched for 120 s with 15% hydrochloric acid gel and were subsequently treated with either adhesive or resin infiltration. Specimens were observed with laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) in dual fluorescence mode. In confocal microscopic images, lesion depth and penetration depth of the resin infiltration or the adhesive in corresponding halves were measured, and penetration percentages were calculated respectively. Differences of the data between two groups were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Variations of histological caries extensions were detected with Kruskal-Wallis H test.

RESULTSAt the same grading level (C1-C3) in histological caries extension, penetration depths of the resin infiltration group and the adhesive group were 240 (230, 260) µm vs 190 (150, 210) µm, 405 (300, 523) µm vs 180 (160, 200) µm, and 590 (430, 640) µm vs 180 (160, 200) µm respectively. There was significant statistical difference in the data between two groups (P < 0.05). Statistically significant difference in penetration depths of the resin infiltration group (at C1-C3) were found (P < 0.01). At the same grading level (C1-C3) in histological caries extension, percentage penetrations of the resin infiltration group and the adhesive group were [100.0% (96.2%, 100.0%)], [99.1% (95.7%, 100.0%)], [82.0% (81.1%, 92.2%)] and [79.2% (68.4%, 87.5%)], [41.8% (29.1%, 74.5%)], [30.2% (29.2%, 39.6%)], respectively. The difference between the above data was also significant (P < 0.05). Percentage penetrations of the resin infiltration group at C1 and C2 level was higher than those at C3 level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe resin infiltration is capable of penetrating almost completely into proximal lesions in primary molars.

Acid Etching, Dental ; methods ; Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Dental Caries ; pathology ; therapy ; Dental Cements ; chemistry ; Dental Enamel ; pathology ; Dental Enamel Permeability ; Humans ; Hydrochloric Acid ; pharmacology ; Molar ; pathology ; Surface Properties ; Tooth, Deciduous ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of irradiation on the susceptibility of radiation caries.

METHODSThe structures of 56 teeth enamel and dentin of 63 roots were observed using SEM and the collagen fibre and the resistance to the acid were also investigated after irradiation of 30 Gy, 50 Gy and 70 Gy.

RESULTSThe enamel structure changes were found after irradiation with different doses. The significant difference was found in the enamel changes between high or middle dose group and low dose group or control. The dentin morphology changed, some collagen fibre vanished and resistance to acid was reduced after irradiation with 50 Gy and 70 Gy.

CONCLUSIONSThe radiation reduced the resistance of teeth to the acid and increased the caries susceptibility.

Acids ; chemistry ; Dental Caries ; etiology ; Dental Caries Susceptibility ; Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Dentin ; chemistry ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects

BACKGROUNDEnamel decalcification in orthodontics is a concern for dentists and methods to remineralize these lesions are the focus of intense research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing effect of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) nanocomplexes on enamel decalcification in orthodontics.

METHODSTwenty orthodontic patients with decalcified enamel lesions during fixed orthodontic therapy were recruited to this study as test group and twenty orthodontic patients with the similar condition as control group. GC Tooth Mousse, the main component of which is CPP-ACP, was used by each patient of test group every night after tooth-brushing for six months. For control group, each patient was asked to brush teeth with toothpaste containing 1100 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride twice a day. Standardized intraoral images were taken for all patients and the extent of enamel decalcification was evaluated before and after treatment over this study period. Measurements were statistically compared by t test.

RESULTSAfter using CPP-ACP for six months, the enamel decalcification index (EDI) of all patients had decreased; the mean EDI before using CPP-ACP was 0.191 ± 0.025 and that after using CPP-ACP was 0.183 ± 0.023, the difference was significant (t = 5.169, P < 0.01). For control group, the mean EDI before treatment was 0.188 ± 0.037 and that after treatment was 0.187 ± 0.046, the difference was not significant (t = 1.711, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCPP-ACP can effectively improve the demineralized enamel lesions during orthodontic treatment, so it has some remineralization potential for enamel decalcification in orthodontics.

Adolescent ; Caseins ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Dental Enamel ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orthodontics ; methods