Physicochemical Characteristics of Asian Moon Scallop Shell as a Tooth Remineralization Agent

Abstract

Scallop shells have the potential to aid in the remineralization of the teeth. The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of hydroxyapatite (HA) extracted from Asian moon scallop shell and to analyse the enamel micropore closure after the application of HA gel. HA was synthesized from Asian moon scallop shell by the precipitation method, followed by 24-hour aging, and 8-hour calcination at 1000°C. the synthesized HA was characterized using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry. HA gel was formulated using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC), and guar gum as gel base. The physical properties including the organoleptic properties, homogeneity, and pH of the HA gel formulation were tested. HA gel was applied to teeth and analysed using SEM-EDX. Results revealed that the HA synthesized from Asian moon scallop shell had a uniform particle size with an average size of 0.541 ± 0.026 μm, a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1.63, and a crystallinity of 85.5%. Physical properties of the HA gel revealed a white, odourless, and homogeneous gel, with a pH above 5. SEM-EDX analysis of the teeth treated with HA gel indicated that the teeth treated with 20% HA gel exhibited the most compact micropore, with a micropore size of 0.912 ± 0.095 µm. The findings from this study suggest that Asian moon scallop shells may serve as an alternative material for tooth remineralization.