• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.818-826
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• 1995

The present study was undertaken to investigate the crystal growth onto enamel mineral and synthetic hydroxyapatite seeds in media resembling the enamel fluid composition. Effects of fluoride at low concentrations on the precipitation were also examined in a benchtop crystal growth model adopting a miniaturized reaction column. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), as well as chemical analyses, were employed for characterization of both seed materials before and after experimentation. Remarkable findings were that (1) both biological and synthetic seeds at the same total surface areas yielded rather similar precipitation rates at all levels of fluoride concentration in solution and (2) the precipitation rate was accelerated in a manner depending on fluoride concentrations in media. FTIR differential analysis disclosed that the precipitating phase was characterized as poorly crystallized apatite, which incorporated subtle carbonate. Most of the fluoride ions in soution were readily incorporated into crystals. The overall results support the view that the seeded crystal growth model is of value to gain insight into the mechanism of enamel crystal growth under fluoride regimens.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.560-574
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• 1997

The present study was undertaken to investigate the crystal growth onto human enamel mineral and synthetic hydroxyapatite(HA) seeds in media resembling the enamel fluid composition. Effects of fluoride at high concentrations on the precipitation were also examined in a bench-top crystal growth model adopting a miniaturized reaction column. The Ca, P and F concentrations and pH values of the inlet and outlet solutions were determined. The recovered solid samples were weighed to assess the amount of minerals precipitated during the experimental period, and finally viewed under a scanning electron microscope. Remarkable findings were that 1) both biological and synthetic seeds with the same total surface areas yielded similar amounts of crystal growth, 2) the amount of crystal growth was accelerated in a manner depending on fluoride concentrations in the media, 3) SEM observations disclosed that without the addition of fluoride, precipitation of thin, plate-like OCP crystals became prominent, but by increasing the fluoride concentration(beyond 1ppm F), rod-like crystals having a pointed edge were most frequently observed, without any evidence for precipitation of the plate-like crystals. Furthermore, the dimension of rod-like crystals was increased in proportion to fluoride concentrations, 4) there was no difference in the morphological feature of precipitated mineral phase upon seeding between human enamel seed and synthetic HA seed. The overall results support the view that the seeded crystal growth model is of value to gain insight into the mechanism of enamel crystal growth under fluoride regimens.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.330-336
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• 1999

In biological systems, the mineral that forms hard tissue is of an apatitic nature, and hydroxyapatite($Ca_5OH(PO_4)_3$: HA) is generally considered as the prototype for such a mineral. Thus, the precipitation of HA, having biological implications, has been the subject of several investigations. Crystal growth studies using HA seeds in supersaturated solutions have enhanced our understanding of the process and mechanism involved in seeded crystal growth. From these studies, it has become apparent that the precipitation rate of HA onto the seed crystals depends on the various conditions, especially on the additives. The relation between the supersaturated solution containing fluoride and the process of HA crystal growth enhances the understanding of mechanism of HA crystal growth. Until recently, the studies have been on the crystal growth of enamel minerals and synthetic HA seeds in the supersaturated solution containing 1~2 ppm fluoride. The purpose of the present investigation is to study the effect that fluoride of high concentration has on the crystal growth kinetics of HA. In order to produce the composition found in the secretory enamel fluid, experimental solutions of 1mM Ca, 3mM P, and 100mM Tris as background electrolyte were used. Then this experimental solutions were added to 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ppm fluoride. The effect of fluoride at high concentrations on the precipitation was examined in a bench-top crystal growth model adopting a miniaturized reaction column. Chemical analysis was employed for characterization of working solutions before and after the experimentation. Remarkable findings were : 1) the amount of crystal growth was gradually accelerated as the fluoride concentration increased until 6 ppm, but decreased in 8 and 10 ppm fluoride; 2) the amount of fluoride ion consumed in crystal formation was constant despite the increase in fluoride concentration.