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Carbon quantum dots as modulators of hydroxyapatite c-axis orientation and mechanical reinforcement in dentin:
Umer Daood1, Shahad Daood2, Ng Mei Liit2
1Restorative Dentistry Division, School of Dentistry, IMU, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Bukit Jalil, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Centre for Translational Research (CTR), Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, (IRDI), IMU, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Bukit Jalil, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Objective:
This laboratory and in-silico study investigated the potential of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to modulate the crystal orientation and mechanical properties of dentin hydroxyapatite (HAp), with a focus on the structurally critical c-axis.
Methods:
Dentin specimens were treated with varying concentrations of functionalized CQDs (0.1 %-0.5 %) and subjected to artificial demineralization. Structural and mechanical changes were assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), nanoindentation, and density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Collagen organization and mineral crystallinity were evaluated through SAXS and NMR spectroscopy. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and the Tukey Post hoc tests.
Results:
CQD-treated groups, particularly at 0.3 % and 0.5 % concentrations, exhibited enhanced HAp crystallinity, improved alignment along the c-axis, and increased collagen fibril organization. Raman and XRD analyses confirmed higher mineral-to-matrix ratios and reduced lattice disorder. Mechanical testing revealed significant increases in hardness and elastic modulus. DFT simulations (p<0.05) supported the hypothesis of CQD-induced lattice stabilization via Ca-site substitution and spin-orbital coupling.
Conclusion:
Functionalized CQDs represent a novel strategy for reinforcing dentin by modulating and modifying HAp crystal orientation and collagen architecture through quantum-level interactions.
