title: [Biomimetics of crystal texture in dental enamel prism by self-assembly oligopeptide].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the possibility of self-assembly oligopeptide(T2) for dental enamel biomimetics, especially for the prism's crystal texture since it could prompt calcium phosphate precipitated in gel carrier.
  
  
  METHODS
  SEM (Scanning electron microscope) and TEM (Transmission electron microscope) were used to observe the morphologic presentation and ED(Electron diffraction) to crystal texture comparing with the human molar enamel powder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (a) Flake-like and needle-like octacalcium phosphate precipitated in the gel carrier with self-assemble oligopeptide(T2). They transformed into rod-like hydroxyapatite crystals gradually in the following 2-4 weeks. (b) The rod-like hydroxyapatite may arrange or grow into bundles which are similar to the human enamel prisms in both appearance and size. (c) The rod-like hydroxyapatite showed polycrystal while the enamel prisms showed monocrystal under examination of ED.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The self-assemble oligopeptide(T2) could regulate the speed of nucleation and crystallization of hydroxyapatite in morphology and crystalline size. Thus, the self-assembly oligopeptide and the gel carrier mineralization system could be primarily applied in biomimetic use for the crystallization of hydroxyapatite in dental prism in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontic, Peking University School & Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Hai-lan
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Xin-ru
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Jia
mesh_terms: D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; D009842:Oligopeptides; C020243:calcium phosphate