In situ Biomimetic Remineralization of Enamel-like Hierarchical Structures

The in situ regeneration of enamel-like hierarchical structures were carried out under biomimetic condition using etched enamel as the template. The morphology, chemical composition, mcriohardness, biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the remineralized layer were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM ), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS ), X-ray diffraction ( XRD ) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, the enamel layers remineralized under biomimetic conditions and hydrothermal condition were compared. The results showed that the structure of them were similar to that of the natural enamel prisms and interprisms, and the crystal composition were both mainly fluorapatite. However, the structures, morphology and microhardness of enamel-like hierarchical enamel layer were better than those of the enamel layer obtained under hydrothermal condition.