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[Biomimetics of crystal texture in dental enamel prism by self-assembly oligopeptide]
Lei Wang1, Wei Bai, Hai-lan Feng
1Department of Prosthodontic, Peking University School & Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
Objective:
To evaluate the possibility of self-assembly oligopeptide(T2) for dental enamel biomimetics, especially for the prism's crystal texture since it could prompt calcium phosphate precipitated in gel carrier.
Methods:
SEM (Scanning electron microscope) and TEM (Transmission electron microscope) were used to observe the morphologic presentation and ED(Electron diffraction) to crystal texture comparing with the human molar enamel powder.
Results:
(a) Flake-like and needle-like octacalcium phosphate precipitated in the gel carrier with self-assemble oligopeptide(T2). They transformed into rod-like hydroxyapatite crystals gradually in the following 2-4 weeks. (b) The rod-like hydroxyapatite may arrange or grow into bundles which are similar to the human enamel prisms in both appearance and size. (c) The rod-like hydroxyapatite showed polycrystal while the enamel prisms showed monocrystal under examination of ED.
Conclusion:
The self-assemble oligopeptide(T2) could regulate the speed of nucleation and crystallization of hydroxyapatite in morphology and crystalline size. Thus, the self-assembly oligopeptide and the gel carrier mineralization system could be primarily applied in biomimetic use for the crystallization of hydroxyapatite in dental prism in vitro.
