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Chemical/Molecular Structure of the Dentin–Enamel Junction is Dependent on the Intratooth Location

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Abstract

The dentin–enamel junction (DEJ) plays an important role in preventing crack propagation from enamel into dentin. This function stems from its complex structure and materials properties that are different from either dentin or enamel. The molecular structural differences in both mineral and organic matrix across the DEJ zone were investigated by two-dimensional confocal Raman microspectroscopic mapping/imaging technique. The intensity ratios of 1450 (CH, matrix)/960 (P-O, mineral) decreased gradually to nearly zero across the DEJ. The width of this transition zone was dependent on the intratooth location, with 12.9 ± 3.2 μm width at occlusal positions and 6.2 ± 1.3 μm at cervical positions. The difference in width was significant (P < 0.001). Concurrently, spectral differences in both organic and inorganic matrices across the DEJ were also noted. For example, the ratios of 1243 (amide III)/1450 (CH) within the DEJ were lower than the values in dentin; however, the ratios of 1665 (amide I)/1450 (CH) within the DEJ were higher than those values in dentin. In addition, the ratios of 1070 (carbonate)/960 (phosphate) within the dentin were lower than the values in the DEJ. Raman images indicated that the distribution of the above ratios across the DEJ zone were also different at occlusal and cervical positions. The results suggest that the intratooth-location-dependent structure of the DEJ may be related to its function. Micro-Raman spectroscopic/imaging analysis of the DEJ provides a powerful means of identifying the functional width and molecular structural differences across the DEJ.

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Acknowledgments

This investigation was supported in part by USPHS research grants DE 015735, DE 015281, and DE 016023 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Biology, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, 650 E. 25th St., Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA

    Changqi Xu, Xiaomei Yao, Mary P. Walker & Yong Wang

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  1. Changqi Xu
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  2. Xiaomei Yao
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Correspondence to Yong Wang.

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Xu, C., Yao, X., Walker, M.P. et al. Chemical/Molecular Structure of the Dentin–Enamel Junction is Dependent on the Intratooth Location. Calcif Tissue Int 84, 221–228 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-008-9212-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-008-9212-8

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