ABSTRACT
This work aimed to compare the effect of four new toothpastes (P1-P4) based on pure and biomimetic substituted nano-hydroxyapatites (HAPs) on remineralization of human enamel. Artificially demineralized enamel slices were daily treated for ten days with different toothpastes according to the experimental design. Tooth enamel surfaces were investigated using atomic force microscope (AFM) images and surface roughness (Ra) determined before and after treatment. The surface roughness of enamel slices was statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's multiple comparison test. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) data revealed the HAP structure with crystal sizes between 28 and 33 nm and crystallinity between 29 and 37%. The average size of HAP particles was found to be between 30 and 40 nm. The Ra values indicated that P3 (HAP-Mg-Zn-Sr-Si) toothpaste was the most effective after 10 days of treatment, leading to the lowest mean roughness. The P3 and P2 (HAP) toothpastes were found to be effective in promoting remineralization. Specifically, their effectiveness can be ranked as follows: P3 = P2 > P4 (HAP-Mg-Zn-Si) > P1 (HAP-Zn), considering both the chemical composition and the size of their constitutive nanoparticles. The proposed toothpastes might be used successfully to treat early tooth decay.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Bone consolidation after severe trauma is the most challenging task in orthopedic surgery. This study aimed to develop biomimetic composite for coating Ti implants. Afterwards, these implants were tested in vivo to assess bone consolidation in the absence or the presence of high-frequency pulsed electromagnetic short-waves (HF-PESW). MATERIALS: Biomimetic coating was successfully developed using multi-substituted hydroxyapatite (ms-HAP) functionalized with collagen (ms-HAP/COL), embedded into poly-lactic acid (PLA) matrix (ms-HAP/COL@PLA), and subsequently covered with self-assembled COL layer (ms-HAP/COL@PLA/COL, named HAPc). METHODS: For in vivo evaluation, 32 Wistar albino rats were used in four groups: control group (CG) with Ti implant; PESW group with Ti implant+HF-PESW; HAPc group with Ti implant coated with HAPc; HAPc+PESW group with Ti implant coated with HAPc+HF-PESW. Left femoral diaphysis was fractured and fixed intramedullary. From the first post-operative day, PESW and HAPc+PESW groups underwent HF-PESW stimulation for 14 consecutive days. Biomimetic coating was characterized by XRD, HR-TEM, SEM, EDX and AFM. RESULTS: Osteogenic markers (ALP and osteocalcin) and micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis (especially bone volume/tissue volume ratio results) indicated at 2 weeks the following group order: HAPc+PESW>HAPc≈PESW (P>0.05) and HAPc+PESW>control (P<0.05), indicating the higher values in HAPc+PESW group compared to CG. The fracture-site bone strength showed, at 2 weeks, the highest average value in HAPc+PESW group. Moreover, histological analysis revealed the most abundant COL fibers assembled in dense bundles in HAPc-PESW group. At 8 weeks, micro-CT indicated higher values only in HAPc+PESW group vs CG (P<0.05), and histological results showed a complete-healed fracture in groups: HAPc+PESW, HAPc and PESW, but with more advanced bone remodeling in HAPc+PESW group. CONCLUSION: Using Ti implants coated by HAPc jointly with HF-PESW stimulation positively influenced the bone consolidation process, especially in its early phase, thus potentially providing a superior strategy for clinical applications.