Micromorphological and hardness analyses of human and bovine sclerotic dentin: a comparative study

Author(s)

Castanho, Gisela Muassab ^[1] ; Marques, Marcia Martins ^[1] ; Marques, Juliana Barbosa ^[1] ; Camargo, Maite Andre ^[1] ; De Cara, Antonio Alberto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo FOUSP, Fac Odontol, Dept Restorat Dent, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Oral Research; v. 25, n. 3, p. 274-279, MAY-JUN 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that both human and bovine sclerotic dentin have similar hardness properties, in addition to similar micromorphological characteristics. Sixteen teeth (8 human and 8 bovine) exhibiting exposed dentin in the incisal edge and showing characteristics typical of sclerosis were used. Vickers surface microhardness testing was conducted. Three areas of the dentin surface of each specimen were selected. All teeth were processed for scanning electron microscopy in order to estimate the amount (in percentage) of solid dentin on the sclerotic dentin surface. The data were compared by Student's t test (α = 0.05). The micromorphological and microhardness data were compared by Pearson's linear correlation test (α = 0.05). The mean percentages of solid dentin of human and bovine sclerotic dentin were similar (human 90.71 ± 0.83 and bovine 89.08 ± 0.81, p = 0.18). The mean microhardness value (VHN) of human sclerotic dentin was significantly higher than that of bovine sclerotic dentin (human 45.26 ± 2.92 and bovine 29.93 ± 3.83, p = 0.006). No correlation was found between the microhardness values and the amount of solid dentin in the sclerotic dentin, irrespective of the species considered (human R² = 0.0240, p = 0.714; bovine R² = 0.0017, p = 0.923; and combined R² = 0.038, p = 0.46). We concluded that although both bovine and human sclerotic dentin present a similar amount of solid tissue, human sclerotic dentin presents higher microhardness than bovine sclerotic dentin. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/10290-8 - In vitro comparative study of the organic and inorganic component of sclerotic and healthy dentin from bovine versus human
• Grantee: Antonio Alberto de Cara
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants