Novel Approach to Tooth Chemistry. Quantification of Human Enamel Apatite in Context for New Biomaterials and Nanomaterials Development

A series of linear profiles of the elements of the enamel in human molar teeth were made with the use of an electron microprobe and a Raman microscope. It is postulated that the enamel can be treated as the superposition of variable &ldquo
overbuilt&rdquo
enamel on the stable &ldquo
core&rdquo
enamel at the macro-, micro- and nanoscale level. The excessive values characterize the &ldquo
overbuilt enamel&rdquo
All the profiles of excessive parameters along the enamel thickness from the enamel surface to the dentin enamel junction (DEJ) can be approximated very precisely with the use of exponential functions, where Ca, P, Cl and F spatial profiles are decaying while Mg, Na, K and CO32&minus
ones are growing distributions. The &ldquo
apatite formed on the boundary with DEJ, enriched in Na, Mg, OH and carbonates, reacts continuously with Ca, Cl and F, passing into an acid-resistant form of the &ldquo
enamel. The apparent phases arriving in boundary regions of the &ldquo
were proposed. Microdiffraction measurements reveal relative variation of energy levels during enamel transformations. Our investigations are the milestones for a further new class of biomaterial and nanomaterial development for biomedical applications.