Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Enamel hypomineralization is characterized by a reduction in the concentration of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in the enamel, along with an increase in carbon (C) concentration. This condition affects the mineral content of the enamel, leading to weakened and more susceptible teeth. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the inorganic ion configuration in enamel hypomineralization for effective restorative approaches and prevention strategies. It can pave the way for better therapeutic interventions. Thus, our study aims to investigate the characteristics of enamel hypoplasia in 5 extracted teeth using FE-SEM and EDX analysis. METHODS: The study investigated 5 human teeth with enamel hypoplasia and compared them with 1 normal control tooth. The teeth were cut into sections, dehydrated, and coated with platinum before being analyzed using a JSM-IT800 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). After imaging, the specialized software was utilized to analyze and measure enamel hypoplasia's morphological traits and features of enamel hypoplasia. The SEM was used to examine the teeth's morphology, while the EDX was used to analyze the molecules. FINDINGS: Electron microscopic images exhibited altered topography on the surface of hypo-mineralized enamel. Elemental analysis showed the presence of Ca, P, Ag, Mg, C, K, and Cl, and their varied distribution. Normal enamel has 48.3 % oxygen and 27.5 % calcium. In hypoplastic enamel, oxygen increases to 49.1 % and calcium stays at 27.3 %. Phosphorus slightly decreases from 13.5 % to 13.3 %, and carbon decreases from 9.8 % to 8.7 %. There are no significant differences in sodium and chlorine. Enamel hypoplasia is linked to minor changes in elemental composition, with a significant decrease in carbon concentration. Standard deviations indicate the precision of the measurements. NOVELTY: Prior research on enamel hypomineralization typically relies on comparative approaches, employing SEM and EDX for imaging and analysis. While calcium and phosphorus concentrations are frequently analyzed, the study's inclusion of additional elements and quantitative measurements offers a more comprehensive understanding. Advanced imaging techniques such as FE-SEM allow for detailed analysis of enamel structures. The findings contribute valuable insights to this diverse body of knowledge, crucial due to the complex nature of enamel hypomineralization. Thus, it could provide valuable insights for targeted remineralization techniques, ultimately preventing dental caries development.