title: A theoretical model of dentinogenesis: dentin and dentinal tubule formation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dentinogenesis, odontoblast dentin formation, includes dentinal growth, mineralization and dentinal tubule formation. Odontoblasts synthesize collagen resulting in collagen apposition contributing to dentinogenesis. Furthermore, within the tubule, they express non-collagenous proteins, such as dentin phosphoprotein (DPP), associated with hydroxyapatite crystal formation and growth. The aim of this work was to determine patterns of growth and dentin formation and quantification of its mineralization. Findings from our work are relevant to endodontics for future regenerative treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We formulated a 3D domain mathematical model, which recreates the events that lead to dentinal tubule mineralization. As reference we used collagen apposition and DPP activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We obtained a model depicting predentin's mineralization distribution during dentin development. Furthermore, we verified different DPP diffusion coefficients to test the model's sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present a model to shed light on the process of dentin and dentinal tubule formation, and its relation to diffusion and mineralization processes.
authors.affiliation: College of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; College of Dentistry, Endodontics School, Universidad del Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia. Electronic address: Jlninob@unal.edu.co.
authors.forename: Javier L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Niño-Barrera
authors.forename: María L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Diego A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Garzón-Alvarado
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003804:Dentin / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D003810:Dentinogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D003765:Models, Dental; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014074:Tooth Calcification / Q000502:physiology; D000099311:Dentin Sialophosphoprotein
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D000099311:Dentin Sialophosphoprotein
keywords: Dentin; Dentinal tubules; Finite elements; Mathematical modeling