Three-dimensional nanoscale elemental analysis in human teeth by atom probe tomography towards their soundness evaluation

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26560234
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: SHIMIZU Yasuo 東北大学, 金属材料研究所, 助教 (40581963)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SADR Alireza 東京医科歯科大学, 国際交流センター, 非常勤講師 (20567755) ; NAGAI Yasuyoshi 東北大学, 金属材料研究所, 教授 (10302209) ; INOUE Koji 東北大学, 金属材料研究所, 准教授 (50344718)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 歯学 / 生体材料 / ３次元アトムプローブ / 元素分布 / 硬さ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, three-dimensional (3D) elemental distribution in human teeth with nanoscale was investigated by utilizing 3D atom probe (3D-AP), which was conventionally applicable to metals and inorganic materials. First, the shape of needle specimen of hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals for 3D-AP analysis was optimized by means of a focused ion beam technique. After determining a proper condition of 3D-AP equipped with an ultraviolet pulsed laser for HAp, we could apply it for a human tooth (enamel and dentin regions) in order to obtain the elemental distribution. By performing a detailed analysis in 3D, clear segregation and clustering of magnesium in the enamel region were found.

Free Research Field

工学