SURREY: To promote the understanding of acid damage of teeth at the microstructural level, researchers at the University of Birmingham and the University of Surrey have recently discovered a new technique.
The researchers conducted a technique at Diamond Light Source called 'In situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography'. Diamond Light Source is a particular particle accelerator in which the electrons were expedited to near light speed to cause bright X-rays used to scan acid-treated dentine samples. It builds clear 3-Dimensional images of the dentine's internal structure with sub-micrometre resolution.
They analysed these images over the six hours of the experiment. Thus conducted the first-ever time-resolved 3D study (often referred to as 4D) of the dentine microstructural changes caused by acid. The study has shown that the acid has dissolved the minerals in different dentine structures at different rates.
Dentine supports the enamel, forms the main bulk of human teeth, and helps to make teeth strong and resilient. Dental plaque produces acid, which affects the integrity of the dental structure and causes tooth decay. However, this study has helped develop knowledge to restore the structure and function of dentine by leading to new treatments.
Dr Tan Sui, a contributor to the research, said that earlier little was known about how acid damaged the teeth at a microstructure level. His research would help identify new ways to protect dental tissues.
The research '4D microstructural changes in dentinal tubules during acid demineralisation' has recently been published in Dental Materials.
