X-ray microanalysis of dentin: a review

Area of Science:

• Dental materials science
• Biomineralization
• Analytical chemistry

Background:

• Dentin composition and structure are crucial for understanding dental health and disease.
• X-ray microanalysis (XMA) offers valuable insights into elemental distribution within dentin.
• Previous studies have explored various aspects of dentin analysis using XMA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the literature on X-ray microanalysis (XMA) of dentin.
• To include both energy-dispersive (EDS) and wavelength-dispersive (WDS) XMA techniques.
• To highlight key findings regarding elemental concentrations in different dentin conditions and treatments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies employing X-ray microanalysis (XMA) on dentin.
• Analysis of data from energy-dispersive (EDS) and wavelength-dispersive (WDS) techniques.
• Compilation of elemental concentration data from various experimental conditions.

Main Results:

• XMA estimations of dentin composition are generally semi-quantitative.
• Specific elemental changes were observed in odontoblasts, predentin, and hypermineralized peritubular dentin.
• Caries lesions showed decreased Ca, P, Mg, Cl, and increased S, Zn; mineralized surfaces had high F, K.
• Cavity walls absorbed ions from filling materials (Zn, Sn, F, Al).
• Topical fluoride applications showed high F concentrations with TiF4, Duraphat, and Fluor Protector.
• Dentin near amalgam fillings had reduced Ca, P, but increased Zn, Sn, explaining radiopacity.

Conclusions:

• XMA is a powerful tool for semi-quantitative elemental analysis of dentin.
• Dentin's elemental composition is dynamic and affected by caries, mineralization, and restorative materials.
• Understanding ion dynamics in dentin is critical for dental material development and treatment strategies.