Bone and Teeth Mineral Properties in Mammals

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomineralization and Biominerals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 26099

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Geology, University of Oviedo, 33005 Oviedo, Spain
Interests: biomineralization; crystallography; biomimetic materials; phosphate minerals; bone and teeth

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bone and teeth are mineralized tissues that develop through organic matrix-mediated mineralization processes. The physical and chemical properties of these biominerals are modified by organisms during their development, particularly in mammals, to fulfill specific physiological functions. These mineralized tissues are organized hierarchically, forming non-stoichiometric calcium phosphate structures with numerous ionic substitutions and point deficiencies. The compositional and structural characteristics of bone and teeth vary with age, sex, diet and tissue type, allowing for the development of their metabolic functions. Knowledge of the processes that control mineralization in bones and teeth, including dentin and enamel structures, is fundamental for the treatment and prevention of diseases, ranging from dental caries to osteoporosis. However, there are still unresolved questions about the factors that control the formation and growth of bone and teeth and how the alterations caused by the disruption of cell metabolism in some diseases modify the properties of these mineralized tissues. This Special Issue is an opportunity for the compilation of up-to-date studies on the biomineralization processes of mammalian bones and teeth, with special emphasis on their compositional and microstructural characteristics, providing potentially fruitful areas of collaboration between mineralogists, biogeochemists and biological researchers.

Dr. Pedro Álvarez-Lloret
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • bone
  • teeth
  • dentin
  • enamel
  • mammals
  • hydroxylapatite
  • calcium phosphates
  • biomineralization

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3214 KiB  
Article
Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis of the Inorganic Components from Teeth Exposed to Psychotherapeutic Drugs
by Camila Diez, Maria Ángeles Rojo, Jesús Martín-Gil, Pablo Martín-Ramos, Manuel Garrosa and Damián Córdoba-Diaz
Minerals 2022, 12(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12010028 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3395
Abstract
Teeth are unique and complex anatomical organs that can provide relevant data about a person's health, and play an important role in forensic medicine. Teeth are exposed to food, drinks, and the microbiota of the oral cavity; therefore, they have developed a high [...] Read more.
Teeth are unique and complex anatomical organs that can provide relevant data about a person's health, and play an important role in forensic medicine. Teeth are exposed to food, drinks, and the microbiota of the oral cavity; therefore, they have developed a high resistance to localized demineralization. Nevertheless, the continuous demineralization–remineralization cycle present in the oral environment can be influenced by stress, medication, mineralization agents, and other factors such as individual habits, especially diet. In this study, based on attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectra from tooth samples of 36 patients, several parameters were estimated: the crystallinity index (CI), the phosphate/amide I ratio, and the carbonate/phosphate ratio. In addition, in eight representative samples (six of the root of the tooth and two of the enamel area of the crown), additional characterization by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was conducted. From the FTIR data, it was observed that the highest CI values were found in patients who smoked. Further, in both root and crown samples, the intensity of the absorption band corresponding to PO43- increased in patients undergoing treatment with psychotherapeutic drugs. On the other hand, the intensity of the absorption band of the amide I group decreased with medical treatment and with the patient's biological age. Moreover, it was found that the remineralization process was more active in enamel than in the root due to direct contact with saliva. Regarding the results obtained from the X-ray powder diffractograms, exposure to psychotherapeutic drugs affected the definition of the peaks corresponding to hydroxyapatite, both in the crown and root samples. Concerning SEM results, qualitative differences in the stratification process in demineralized surfaces were observed, and EDS analyses showed some differences in the Ca/P ratio between pathological samples and control ones, but without clear patterns. The above techniques, in particular ATR-FTIR, showed promise for the investigation of the effect of changes produced in the hydroxyapatite structure in teeth and, consequently, to determine possible strategies in the diagnostic protocol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bone and Teeth Mineral Properties in Mammals)
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16 pages, 3531 KiB  
Article
Chemical, Microstructural and Morphological Characterisation of Dentine Caries Simulation by pH-Cycling
by Juan Sebastián Zuluaga-Morales, María Victoria Bolaños-Carmona, Carolina Cecilia Cifuentes-Jiménez and Pedro Álvarez-Lloret
Minerals 2022, 12(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12010005 - 21 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3215
Abstract
In vitro simulation of natural caries is of great importance in dental research for the development of more effective clinical treatments. The pH-cycling (pHc) procedure consists of a dynamic caries process with alternating de-remineralisation periods. The current research aims to evaluate the effects [...] Read more.
In vitro simulation of natural caries is of great importance in dental research for the development of more effective clinical treatments. The pH-cycling (pHc) procedure consists of a dynamic caries process with alternating de-remineralisation periods. The current research aims to evaluate the effects of the pHc procedure on mineral dentine properties in comparison with sound dentine and natural residual caries. For this purpose, dentine slices from human third molars were submitted to cycling periods of 14 and 28 days. The chemical composition, morphological and microstructural properties of the dentine samples were examined by infrared and Raman spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. In addition, the depth of the demineralisation front was evaluated by Masson’s trichrome (MT) staining. The results showed that the pHc procedure led to notable changes in the mineral composition and the crystalline characteristics with respect to sound dentine and some extent to natural caries. The MT results revealed that pHc 28 yields a deeper lesion than pHc 14, simulating potential progression of natural caries. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of demineralisation that could occur in an in vivo environment and provide a standardised substrate similar to natural residual caries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bone and Teeth Mineral Properties in Mammals)
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12 pages, 1733 KiB  
Article
Chronic Lead Exposure Alters Mineral Properties in Alveolar Bone
by Pedro Álvarez-Lloret, Cristina Benavides-Reyes, Ching Ming Lee, María Pilar Martínez, María Inés Conti, Alejandro B. Rodríguez-Navarro, Santiago González-López, Alberto Perez-Huerta and Antonela Romina Terrizzi
Minerals 2021, 11(6), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11060642 - 16 Jun 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3191
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of chronic lead exposure on the mineral properties of alveolar bone. For this purpose, female Wistar rats (n = 8) were exposed to 1000 ppm lead acetate in drinking water for [...] Read more.
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of chronic lead exposure on the mineral properties of alveolar bone. For this purpose, female Wistar rats (n = 8) were exposed to 1000 ppm lead acetate in drinking water for 90 days, while the control group (n = 5) was treated with sodium acetate. The alveolar bone structure and chemical composition of the dissected mandibles were examined using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques to determine possible alterations in alveolar bone due to lead exposure. In addition, changes in bone mechanical properties were analysed using a three-point bending test. Exposure to lead induced notable changes in bone mineralization and properties, specifically a reduction of the trabecular thickness and bone mineral density. Furthermore, there was a reduction in carbonate content and an increase in bone mineral crystallinity. These changes in bone mineralization could be explained by an alteration in bone turnover due to lead exposure. Three-point bending showed a trend of decreased displacement at failure in the mandibles of lead-exposed rats, which could compromise the mechanical stability and normal development of the dentition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bone and Teeth Mineral Properties in Mammals)
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9 pages, 1405 KiB  
Article
The Influences of Dehydration on the Mechanical Properties of Human Dentin
by Abu Faem Mohammad Almas Chowdhury, Arefin Alam, MD Refat Readul Islam, Monica Yamauti, Mohammad Shafiqul Alam, Mohammad Musfiqur Rahman, Asad-Uz-Zaman, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Pedro Álvarez-Lloret and Hidehiko Sano
Minerals 2021, 11(4), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11040336 - 24 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2686
Abstract
The complex, dynamic, and hydrated microstructures of human dentin serve as the major determinant for the restorative performance of biomaterials. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of human dentin under different hydration conditions. The occlusal dentin of five third molars was [...] Read more.
The complex, dynamic, and hydrated microstructures of human dentin serve as the major determinant for the restorative performance of biomaterials. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of human dentin under different hydration conditions. The occlusal dentin of five third molars was exposed and cut into 1 mm2 dentin slabs. The slabs were then polished and further cut into 1 mm2 dentin beams and stored in distilled water. Two beams/tooth were used for testing their hardness (H) and elastic modulus (E) at 5 min (baseline), 1 h, and 24 h after dehydration (23 °C and 30% RH), and also for measuring weight at following dehydration times: 0 min, 5 min, 1 h, and 24 h. Five additional molars were employed to prepare 0.4 mm2 dentin beams (3/tooth) for determining ultimate tensile strength (UTS) at 5 min (baseline), 1 h, and 24 h post-dehydration. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Dehydration time significantly affected H, E, weight-loss, and UTS of dentin (p < 0.05). H and E values showed a strongly positive and significant correlation (r > 0.5, p < 0.05). Dehydration can substantially modify the mechanical properties of dentin, leading to misinterpretation of restorative outcomes in vitro. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bone and Teeth Mineral Properties in Mammals)
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Review

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11 pages, 958 KiB  
Review
Confusion between Carbonate Apatite and Biological Apatite (Carbonated Hydroxyapatite) in Bone and Teeth
by Tetsuro Kono, Toshiro Sakae, Hiroshi Nakada, Takashi Kaneda and Hiroyuki Okada
Minerals 2022, 12(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12020170 - 28 Jan 2022
Cited by 46 | Viewed by 12399
Abstract
Biological apatite in enamel, dentin, cementum, and bone is highly individualized hydroxyapatite with high tissue dependency. Often, standard and average textbook values for biological apatite do not apply to actual subjects, and the reported results of analyses differ among investigators. In particular, the [...] Read more.
Biological apatite in enamel, dentin, cementum, and bone is highly individualized hydroxyapatite with high tissue dependency. Often, standard and average textbook values for biological apatite do not apply to actual subjects, and the reported results of analyses differ among investigators. In particular, the term biological apatite is often confusingly and incorrectly used to describe carbonate apatite. The purpose of this review is to prevent further confusion. We believe that apatite should be well understood across disciplines and the terminology clearly defined. According to a definition by the International Mineralogical Association’s Commission on New Minerals Nomenclature and Classification, biological apatite formed by living organisms is a type of hydroxyapatite. More specifically, it is carbonated hydroxyapatite, which is quite different from frequently misnamed carbonate apatite. We hope that this definition will be widely adopted to remove confusion around the naming of apatite in many research and applied fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bone and Teeth Mineral Properties in Mammals)
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