Evaluation of crystalline indexes obtained through infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction in thermally treated human tooth samples.

The crystalline indexes obtained through infrared spectroscopy (CIIR) and X-ray diffraction (CIXRD) were used to analyze the structural changes of dentin and enamel in human teeth when subjected to heat treatments between room temperature (25 °C) to 1200 °C in atmospheric air and argon. Thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses of sound powders were also used to support the analysis. As the temperature increased, the CIXRD increased exhibiting a behavior like that of the crystal grain size, and the CIIR increased until the ß-TCP phase appeared. These results indicated that the CIIR was more variable to structural changes than the CIXRD.

The SEM electron-mirror effect in human tooth and synthetic hydroxyapatite samples.

The characteristics of the electron-mirror effect (EME) image depend on both the scanning electron microscope parameters and the sample's physical properties. The behavior of human tooth (dentin and enamel) and synthetic hydroxyapatite samples submitted to the EME procedure is presented in this work. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and epoxy resin, two good EME producers, were used for comparison. A distorted EME image was observed in the obtained dentin's surface, but enamel and synthetic hydroxyapatite surfaces did not produce the EME. After ex situ calcination treatments of the teeth at 700 and 1,200°C, the EME was observed in dentin, enamel, and synthetic hydroxyapatite, but highly deformed EME images were produced. We show that these last observations are the result of the well-known charge-edge effect. After EME analysis, the calculated dielectric constant was 8.7 for dentin and 3.8 for PET. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Electron-mirror effect (EME) was observed in dentin but not in enamel or synthetic hydroxyapatite. Highly deformed EME images are produced in all samples after calcination at above 700°C. For dentin the calculated dielectric constant was 8.7 and for PET is was 3.8.

Synthesis and in Vitro Cytocompatibility of Segmented Poly(Ester-Urethane)s and Poly(Ester-Urea-Urethane)s for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Two series of segmented polyurethanes were obtained and their mechanical and thermal properties as well as their biodegradability and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The chemical nature of the polyurethanes was varied by using either 1,4 butanediol (poly-ester-urethanes, PEUs) or l-lysine ethyl ester dihydrochloride (poly-ester-urea-urethanes, PEUUs) as chain extenders. Results showed that varying the hard segment influenced the thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained polymers. PEUs showed strain and hardness values of about 10⁻20 MPa and 10⁻65 MPa, respectively. These values were higher than the obtained values for the PEUUs due to the phase segregation and the higher crystallinity observed for the polyester-urethanes (PEUs); phase segregation was also observed and analyzed by XRD and DSC. Moreover, both series of polymers showed hydrolytic degradation when they were submerged in PBS until 90 days with 20% of weight loss. In vitro tests using a Human Osteoblastic cell line (Hob) showed an average of 80% of cell viability and good adhesion for both series of polymers.