The shape and diversity of the mammalian molar teeth is suggested to be regulated by the primary and secondary enamel knots, which are putative epithelial signaling centers of the tooth. In search of novel molecules involved in tooth morphogenesis, we analyzed mRNA expression of Slit1, -2 and -3, earlier characterized as secreted signals needed for axonal pathfinding and their two receptors Rob...

BACKGROUND Different concentrations of carbamide peroxide (10 to 22 percent) have been used successfully as bleaching agents, but the adverse effects on enamel microhardness at different times are unknown. METHODS The authors analyzed seven bleaching agents and a placebo. The agents were applied on the surface of human dental fragments for eight hours per day for 42 days and stored in vials c...

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries and enamel defects in a sample of predominantly African American and Hispanic children from an inner city Head Start program located in Connecticut. METHODS A total of 517 children were examined for dental caries and enamel defects. Children's caries experience was described using the dmfs/t indices, and dental def...

AIM This was to study the prevalence of enamel defects and molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) in children attending Leeds Dental Institute (UK) and Westmead Dental Hospital, Sydney (Australia). METHODS Prospective dental examinations were carried out on 25 children referred to two orthodontic departments. A questionnaire was completed to obtain background information and about previous fl...

ince bleaching has become a popular procedure, the effect of peroxides on dental hard tissues is of great interest in research. Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to perform a qualitative analysis of the human enamel after the application of in-office bleaching agents, using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Materials and Methods: Twenty intact human third molars extracted for orthod...

A combination of scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to quantitatively study the acid-induced dissolution of dental enamel. A micron-scale liquid meniscus formed at the end of a dual barrelled pipette, which constitutes the SECCM probe, is brought into contact with the enamel surface for a defined period. Dissolution occurs at the interface...

Recent developments in tooth-tissue engineering require that we understand the regulatory processes to be preserved to achieve histomorphogenesis and cell differentiation, especially for enamel tissue engineering. Using mouse first lower molars, our objectives were: (1) to determine whether the cap-stage dental mesenchyme can control dental epithelial histogenesis, (2) to test the role of the p...

Dental enamel is the outermost layer of teeth and the hardest mineralized tissue in the human body. It consists of nanorod-like hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals arranged into a highly organized micro-architectural unit called an enamel prism. These special units play an important role in determining the unique physicochemical properties of dental enamel. Cells (ameloblasts) and enamel proteins are ...

A technology to characterize early enamel lesions is needed in dentistry. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive method that provides high-resolution cross-sectional images. The aim of this study is to compare OCT with microfocus x-ray computed tomography ([Formula: see text]) for assessment of natural enamel lesions in vitro. Ten human teeth with visible white spot-like changes on...

Notch signaling is essential for the appropriate differentiation of many cell types during development and, furthermore, is implicated in a variety of human diseases. Previous studies have shown that although the Notch1, -2, and -3 receptors are expressed in developing and injured rodent teeth, Notch2 expression was predominant after a lesion. To pursue the role of the Notch pathway in tooth de...