Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Development of a Direct Pulp-capping Model for the Evaluation of Pulpal Wound Healing and Reparative Dentin Formation in Mice
Published on: January 12, 2017
Ion-modified nanoparticles induce different apatite formation in cervical dentine
M Toledano1, M Toledano-Osorio1, A L Medina-Castillo2
1Dental Materials Section, Faculty of Dentistry, Granada, Spain.
Aim:
To investigate if crystallinity and ultrastructure are modified when cervical dentine is treated with four different nanogels-based solutions for remineralizing purposes.
Methodology:
Experimental nanogels based on polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and zinc, calcium or doxycycline-loaded NPs were applied to citric acid etched dentine to facilitate the occlusion of tubules and the mineralization of the dentine surface. Dentine surfaces were studied by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy through selected area diffraction and bright-field imaging.
Results:
Crystals at the dentine surface were identified as hydroxyapatite with the highest crystallographic maturity and crystallite size in dentine treated with Zn-NPs-based gel. Texture increased in all samples from 24 h to 7 days, except in dentine surfaces treated with Zn-NPs gel. Polyhedral, plate-like and drop-like shaped apatite crystals constituted the bulk of minerals in dentine treated with Zn-NPs gel, after 7 days. Polymorphic, cubic and needle-like shaped crystals distinguished minerals, with more amorphous characteristics in dentine treated with Ca-NPs gel after 7 days than that found when Zn-NPs were applied. Doxycycline-NPs produced the smallest crystallites with poor crystallinity, maturity and chemical stability.
Conclusions:
Crystalline and amorphous phases of newly formed hydroxyapatite were described in both types of dentine treated with Zn-NPs as well as Ca-NPs gels with multiple shapes of crystallites. Crystal shapes ranged from rounded/drop-like or plate-like crystals to needle-like or polyhedral and cubic apatite appearance.
Related Concept Videos
Formation of Complex Ions
Common Ion Effect
Precipitation of Ions
The equation that describes the equilibrium between solid calcium carbonate and its solvated ions is:
Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow...
Ions and Ionic Charges
Ions as Acids and Bases
Salts are ionic compounds composed of cations and anions, either of which may be capable of undergoing an acid or base ionization reaction with water. Aqueous salt solutions, therefore, may be acidic, basic, or neutral, depending on the relative acid-base strengths of the salt’s constituent ions. For example, dissolving the ammonium chloride in water results in its dissociation, as described by the equation:

