Bioinspired Remineralization of Artificial Caries Lesions Using PDMAEMA/Carbomer/Calcium Phosphates Hybrid Microgels

Abstract

Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent bacterium-caused chronic diseases affecting both adults and children worldwide. The development of new materials for enhancing its remineralization is one of the most promising approaches in the field of advanced dental materials as well as one of the main challenges in non-invasive dentistry. The aim of the present study is to develop novel hybrid materials based on (PDMAEMA)/Carbomer 940 microgels with in situ deposited calcium phosphates (CaP) and to reveal their potential as a remineralization system for artificial caries lesions. To this purpose, novel PDMAEMA/Carbomer 940 microgels were obtained and their core–shell structure was revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). They were successfully used as a matrix for in situ calcium phosphate deposition, thus giving rise to novel hybrid microgels. The calcium phosphate phases formed during the deposition process were studied by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy, however, due to their highly amorphous nature, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was the method that was able to provide reliable information about the formed inorganic phases. The novel hybrid microgels were used for remineralization of artificial caries lesions in order to prove their ability to initiate their remineralization. The remineralization process was followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopies and all these methods confirmed the successful enamel rod remineralization upon the novel hybrid microgel application. Thus, the study confirmed that novel hybrid microgels, which could ensure a constant supply of calcium and phosphate ions, are a viable solution for early caries treatment.

Polycarboxy/Sulfo Betaine—Calcium Phosphate Hybrid Materials with a Remineralization Potential

“…The samples were loaded in 4 mm ZrO 2 rotors and spun at a magic angle spinning (MAS) rate of 10 kHz for all measurements. The quantitative 31 P NMR spectra were acquired with a single pulse sequence (Bruker Topspin library), with a 90 • pulse length of 3.1 µs, 8 K time domain data points, a spectrum width of 74 kHz, 256 scans, and a relaxation delay of 120 s. The spectra were processed with an exponential window function (line broadening factor 5) and zero-filled to 32 K data points. The 1 H→ 31 P cross-polarization MAS (CP-MAS) spectra were acquired with the following experimental parameters: a 1H excitation pulse of 3.4 µs, 10 s of a relaxation delay, 256 scans, and a MAS rate of 12 kHz.…”

“…The DMfit software (release #20220502)was used for the deconvolution, simulation, and fitting of the experimental NMR data [30]. The 1 H NMR spectra of PSB and PCB were measured on the same spectrometer, using a 5 mm direct detection dual probe head (BBO) 31 P-109 Ag/ 1 H with a gradient coil with a maximum gradient strength of 53 G/cm.…”

“…The preparation of the enamel samples was in accordance with the methodology described by Bonchev et al [31].…”

Functionalization of biomimetic mineralized collagen for bone tissue engineering

“…In general, the direct mineral addition method and the CIMC strategy are simple and time-savings, and are commonly used in bone tissue engineering studies. Biomineralized hard tissues, such as bones and teeth, possess exceptional mechanical properties due to their unique architecture and hierarchically arranged nanostructures [ 83 , 84 ]. MC fabricated by the PILP or DBA strategies have a similar nanostructure to natural bone tissue and exhibit better mechanical properties and bioactivity compared to traditional MC.…”

New Nano-Crystalline Hydroxyapatite-Polycarboxy/Sulfo Betaine Hybrid Materials: Synthesis and Characterization

“…Fletcher et al [ 24 ] prepared poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)–amorphous calcium phosphate hybrid materials and proved their ability to stimulate the in vitro remineralization of enamel in the presence of artificial saliva. Bonchev et al [ 25 ] used poly(N,N′-dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate/Carbomer 940 microgels as a matrix for the deposition of calcium phosphate. These hybrid microgels were applied successfully for the remineralization of artificial caries lesions.…”