Functions of proanthocyanidins as nucleators of dentin biomineralization

Abstract

Certain plant derived extracts proanthocyanidins (PACs) have shown multi-functional role in dentin, including contribution to the remineralization of mineral depleted root dentin. However, the use of extracts are not suited to understand mechanism of mediated remineralization by PACs as well as not suited for to produce standard interventional materials for clinical usage. Considering the potential role of proanthocyanidins as nucleators of dentin biomineralization, the goal of this study is to define the roles of selective proanthocyanidins compounds in the intra and extrafibrillar remineralization of root dentin. It will be evaluated the changes in dentin microstructure, as well as the remineralization, mineral content and the mechanical recovery. Sixty root dentin blocks will be submitted to demineralization using lactic and acetic acids. Treatments will be performed according to molecular weight of isolated PACs, at 5 levels: 1) small molecule, 2) large molecule, 3) combination of small and large molecules, 4) poly-aspartic acid (positive control) and 5) buffer (negative control). Afterwards, blocks will be submitted to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for selected area electron diffraction (SAED, n=6), Raman spectroscopy (n=6), nano-indentation (n=6) and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis (n=6). The selection of statistical tests will be based on the characteristics of the data set for each variable. The statistical inferences will be made considering the significance level of 5%.