Structure and chemical composition of an experimentally formed apical barrier after the application of calcium-glycerophosphate

J Endod. 2000 Oct;26(10):605-9. doi: 10.1097/00004770-200010000-00007.

Abstract

Transformation in the structure and composition of calcium-glycerophosphate (Ca-GP) was investigated using a scanning electron microscope fitted with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) system. Ca-GP was packed inside roots that were subsequently implanted into the mandibles of rats to stimulate the formation of an apical barrier. Scanning electron microscopic observations of packed Ca-GP revealed three types of structures: globular aggregates, plate or flake-like aggregates, and granular aggregates. The average Ca/P molar ratios of EDX by area mode--postoperatively obtained at days 1, 3, 5, and 7--were 1.300, 1.533, 1.472, and 1.495 (analytic area: 0.01 to 0.03 mm2) and those of EDX by point mode were 1.220, 1.451, 1.487, and 1.467 (analytic point: 0.05 micron 2). The magnesium (Mg) weight percentage was found to be approximately 1.9 at days 3, 5, and 7, similar to Mg-substituted whitlockite. These findings suggest that Ca-GP are transformed, over a period of 3 days into Mg-substituted whitlockite as a result of being hydrolyzed by tissue fluid.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Calcium / analysis
  • Calcium Phosphates / analysis
  • Chemical Precipitation
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Crystallography
  • Dental Pulp Cavity / chemistry
  • Dental Pulp Cavity / drug effects
  • Dental Pulp Cavity / pathology
  • Electron Probe Microanalysis
  • Glycerophosphates / metabolism
  • Glycerophosphates / therapeutic use*
  • Hydrolysis
  • Magnesium / analysis
  • Male
  • Mandible / surgery
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Models, Animal
  • Phosphorus / analysis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Tooth Apex / chemistry
  • Tooth Apex / drug effects*
  • Tooth Apex / pathology
  • Tooth Calcification / drug effects
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Glycerophosphates
  • whitlockite
  • Phosphorus
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium