Regeneration of enamel by a self-organization process of apatite sheet

Abstract

We have attempted to regenerate tooth enamel artificially by using flexible hydroxyapatite (HAp) sheets. The sheets are affixed onto polished surface of extracted teeth with calcium phosphate solution. The time-dependent variation of the composition at the interfaces between the HAp sheets and the teeth surfaces was evaluated by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. After one week past, the XRD pattern completely matched with that of teeth enamel. The adherence between HAp sheet and teeth enamel was evaluated by tensile test using a stainless rod with a diameter of 3 mm glued onto the HAp sheet. The test validated that the adherence between HAp sheet and tooth enamel is much stronger than 3.4 MPa in affixing post-21 days.