Micromechanical property recovery of human carious dentin achieved with colloidal nano-beta-tricalcium phosphate

Reconstitution of carious dentin has been recognized as difficult, because it progresses by loss of collagen polymerization and by demineralization under acidic conditions. Recently, colloidal alkaline nano-calcium phosphate, prepared by electrical discharge in a buffered physiological saline solution, has been shown to be effective in the formulation of a bone-like biocomposite by simply being mixed with acidic collagen solution. It was hypothesized that colloidal calcium phosphate was suitable for the reconstitution of carious dentin. Natural caries lesions in dentin from permanent teeth were exposed to colloidal hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate for 10 days. The micromechanical properties of these tissues were evaluated by nano-indentation. The elastic modulus of human carious dentin improved after samples were immersed in colloidal beta-tricalcium phosphate. The mineral density of carious dentin exposed to beta-tricalcium phosphate increased more than that immersed in hydroxyapatite. However, since it was not directly proportional to micromechanical recovery, mineral density alone was not a sufficient indicator of mechanical behavior.