β-pyrophosphate: A potential biomaterial for dental applications

A.D. Anastasiou, S. Strafford, O. Posada-Estefan, C.L. Thomson, S.A. Hussain, T.J. Edwards, M. Malinowski, Nicole S. Hondow, N.K. Metzger, C.T.A. Brown, M.N. Routledge, A.P. Brown, M.S. Duggal, Animesh Jha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Tooth hypersensitivity is a growing problem affecting both the young and ageing population worldwide. Since an effective and permanent solution is not yet available, we propose a new methodology for the restoration of dental enamel using femtosecond lasers and novel calcium phosphate biomaterials. During this procedure the irradiated mineral transforms into a densified layer of acid resistant iron doped β-pyrophosphate, bonded with the surface of eroded enamel. Our aim therefore is to evaluate this densified mineral as a potential replacement material for dental hard tissue. To this end, we have tested the hardness of β-pyrophosphate pellets (sintered at 1000 °C) and its mineral precursor (brushite), the wear rate during simulated tooth-brushing trials and the cytocompatibility of these minerals in powder form. It was found that the hardness of the β-pyrophosphate pellets is comparable with that of dental enamel and significantly higher than dentine while, the brushing trials prove that the wear rate of β-pyrophosphate is much slower than that of natural enamel. Finally, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests suggest that iron doped β-pyrophosphate is cytocompatible and therefore could be used in dental applications. Taken together and with the previously reported results on laser irradiation of these materials we conclude that iron doped β-pyrophosphate may be a promising material for restoring acid eroded and worn enamel.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMaterials Science and Engineering C
Early online date24 Feb 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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