Remineralization Potential of a Modified Eggshell-Titanium Composite-Scanning Electron Microscope Study

Stanley Chibuzor Onwubu; Phumlane Selby Mdluli; Shenuka Singh; Vishal Bharuth

doi:10.1055/s-0039-1695662

Remineralization Potential of a Modified Eggshell-Titanium Composite-Scanning Electron Microscope Study

Eur J Dent. 2019 May;13(2):187-192. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1695662. Epub 2019 Sep 15.

Authors

Stanley Chibuzor Onwubu¹, Phumlane Selby Mdluli², Shenuka Singh³, Vishal Bharuth⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dental Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.
² Department of Chemistry, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.
³ University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Durban, South Africa.
⁴ Microscopy and Discipline of Dentistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal. Westville. Durban. South Africa.

Abstract

Objectives: This article reports the remineralization potential of a modified eggshell-titanium dioxide (EB-TiO₂) composite in the management of DH.

Materials and methods: The prepared composite was further characterized using different techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field scanning electron microscopy (FSEM) to establish the modification. Forty freshly extracted bovine anterior teeth were used to evaluate the dentin tubule remineralization potential of EB-TiO₂. Each tooth was sectioned mesiodistally to obtain dentin blocks. The dentin blocks were subsequently agitated in 4% wt. citric acid for 2 minutes to simulate sensitive tooth. Each dentin block was randomly assigned to five groups, namely Group 1: untreated, Group 2: EB alone, Group 3: EB-TiO₂ treated, and Group 4: Colgate Sensitive, and Group 5: Sensodyne treated (n = 8) that were then subjected to remineralization protocol.

Results: Both the XRD and FTIR images confirm the surface medication of EB-TiO₂. The TEM revealed a nonhomogeneous structure with an average particle size of 65 nm. FSEM further was used to observe the remineralization capabilities of the samples. The FSEM image of the dentin specimens treated with EB-TiO₂ shows complete remineralization of the dentin tubules, which remain intact postacidic exposure.

Conclusions: This study confirmed that EB-TiO₂ composite effectively remineralizes dentin tubules. More so, the composite could be a cheaper and more efficient therapy material in the management of DH.

Dental Investigation Society.

Grants and funding

Funding The authors acknowledge the financial support from the National Research Foundation of South Africa (No. 104824).