Ultrastructural Analysis of the Interface Between Remineralized Dentin and Calcium-Releasing Experimental Restorative Materials: an in vitro and ex vivo study

• Grant number: 24/14086-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Materials
• Principal Investigator: Roberto Ruggiero Braga
• Grantee: Roberto Ruggiero Braga
• Principal researcher abroad: Owen Addison
• Institution abroad: King's College London, England
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Human dentin represents an important calcified tissue in the body and plays significant roles in withstanding masticatory forces. Current restorative therapies focus on the preservation of demineralized dentin structures and the use of materials that can contribute to their remineralization. The distribution of newly formed mineral determines the recovery of mechanical properties in the remineralized tissue and non-collagen proteins analogues were shown to guide mineral precipitation along the collagen fibrils, contributing to the so-called "functional remineralization" of dentin. Due to its complex hierarchical organization, the understanding of dentin composition and ultra-structure after remineralization strategies is critical. The occurrence of intra-fibrillar remineralization in dentin samples is usually verified by scanning- or transmission electron microscopy or, indirectly, by the recovery of dentin mechanical properties by nanoindentation. However, traditional methods do not offer a clear idea of the association between the newly deposited mineral and the collagen structure. These limitations provide a strong motivation for a detailed study into the nano-structure properties of human remineralized dentin. (AU)