Agarose Hydrogel Biomimetic Mineralization Model for the Regeneration of Enamel Prismlike Tissue

Abstract

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that enamel-like mineralized tissue can be regenerated and used to repair enamel loss. This has implications for the management of noncarious tooth loss resulting from dental erosion, attrition, and abrasion. In this study, we designed a hydrogel biomimetic mineralization model for the regeneration of enamel-like mineralized tissue with a prismatic structure. The mineralized tissue, which was generated by the model on an etched enamel surface in the presence of 500 ppm fluoride, was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the nanoindentation hardness test. The generated tissue had enamel prismlike layers containing well-defined hexagonal hydroxyapatite crystals. The modulus of elasticity and the nanohardness of the regenerated enamel prismlike tissue were similar to those of natural enamel. Thus, the regeneration of enamel using this hydrogel biomimetic mineralization model is a promising approach for the management of enamel loss.