Building Teeth

Dr Vuk Uskokovic, from the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), is involved in a study that aims to mimic the growth of tooth enamel in the laboratory. A key analytical tool in this NIH-funded project is the Zetasizer Nano particle characterisation system from Malvern Instruments. Harnessing the combined dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zetapotential measurement capabilities of the instrument, Dr Uskokovic and his colleagues have been able to characterise the interaction between amelogenin protein, which makes up 90% of the enamel matrix, and the mineral component, hydroxyapatite. Self-assembly of this particular protein is thought to be responsible for guiding the formation of enamel crystals.

While dental techniques are often highly sophisticated, those available for restoring damaged dental tissue are less than perfect. Consequently there is a requirement for approaches that minimise tissue loss. According to Dr Uskokovic, if we understand how enamel forms naturally we can use the same compounds to rebuild the damaged enamel.

In a paper entitled, ‘Zeta-potential and Particle Size Analysis of Human Amelogenins’, (Uskokovic et al., J Dent Res 89(2):149-153, 2010) Dr Uskokovic and his colleagues deliver results that suggest that ‘zeta-potential may be used as a control parameter in replicating the assembly of amelogenins in vitro’. The authors also note that ‘the meaning of the correlations established (in the paper) between zeta-potential and particle-particle attraction could be potentially applied to self-assembling proteins in general’.

When asked why he selected Malvern’s Zetasizer Nano for his work, Dr Uskokovic, said: “I had previous experience with the Zetasizer Nano, albeit with more robust inorganic substances, so when asked to purchase a protein particle characterization system I knew it might be a good candidate. In a side-by-side trial with a competitive product, there was no contest. Results from the Zetasizer Nano were both more reliable and more robust.”