Regeneration of a micro-scratched tooth enamel layer by nanoscale hydroxyapatite solution

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite (HAp)-based materials have attracted considerable attention on account of their excellent stability and recrystallization. Nanoscale HAp powders with a mean particle size of 200 nm were used to regenerate the enamel layers of damaged teeth. An artificially scratched tooth was immersed in a nanoscale HAp powder suspension in d.i. water (HAp of 70 wt%) at 37 °C for a period of 1~3 months. SEM and AFM showed that the scratched surface was ultimately inlaid with HAp after three months and the roughness increased from 2.80 to 5.51. Moreover, the hardness of the neo-generated HAp layer on the crown was similar to that of the innate layer. Ca2+ and PO43- ions from the HAp powders dissolved in d.i. water were precipitated on the tooth to produce cemented pastes on the enamel surface due to its high recrystallizing characteristics, resulting in a hard neo-regenerated HAp layer on the enamel layer. This nanoscale HAp powder solution might be used to heal decayed teeth as well as to develop tooth whitening appliances.