title: Mechanical and chemical characterisation of demineralised human dentine after amalgam restorations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of Zn-free vs Zn-containing amalgams to induce remineralisation at the dentine interface.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sound and caries-affected dentine surfaces (CAD) were subjected to both Zn-free and Zn-containing dental amalgam restorations. Dentine surfaces were studied by nano-indentation, Raman spectroscopy/cluster analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission electron microscope (FESEM) and energy-dispersive analysis (EDX), for mechanical, morphological and chemical characterisation. Analyses were performed before and after placement amalgam restorations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Zn-containing amalgams restorations promoted an increase in the nano-mechanical properties of sound and CAD surfaces. In samples from sound or CAD restored with Zn-containing amalgams, it was evidenced: (a) new mineral calcium-phosphate deposits (intratubular and intertubular) with augmented crystallographic maturity; these crystals were identified as hydroxyl-apatite, and (b) a generalised crosslinking reduction plus an increase in those values testing nature and secondary structure of collagen. It indicates an optimal preservation, molecular organisation and orientation of collagen fibrils.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zn-containing amalgams promote remineralisation of subjacent dentine, which is more evident in caries affected dentine surfaces.
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Materials Section, Colegio Máximo de Cartuja s/n, 18071-Granada, Spain. Electronic address: toledano@ugr.es.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toledano
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Materials Section, Colegio Máximo de Cartuja s/n, 18071-Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Fátima S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Aguilera
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Materials Section, Colegio Máximo de Cartuja s/n, 18071-Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Estrella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Osorio
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Materials Section, Colegio Máximo de Cartuja s/n, 18071-Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cabello
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Materials Section, Colegio Máximo de Cartuja s/n, 18071-Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toledano-Osorio
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, Faculty of Dentistry, Dental Materials Section, Colegio Máximo de Cartuja s/n, 18071-Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osorio
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Amalgam; Caries; Demineralisation; Dentine; Remineralisation; Zinc