Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41237592›Full record

ArticleInternational dental journal2026

Morphological Characterizations and Mineralized Repair of Natural Tooth Cracks Via Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogels.

Zhenying Zheng, Xiaoli Lian, Ni He, Lanrui Zhang, Xiaohua Dai, Guanhua Wang, Yan Yan, Yue Wang, Huiru Zou

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International dental journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Zhenying ZhengTianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Xiaoli LianTianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Ni HeTianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Lanrui ZhangTianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Xiaohua DaiTianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Guanhua WangTianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Yan YanTianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Yue WangSchool of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Huiru ZouTianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China. Electronic address: huiruzou@nankai.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND

aimsThis study aimed to investigate the distribution and morphology of cracks in natural cracked teeth and evaluate the potential of self-assembling peptide hydrogels (L-gel: Nap-FFG-DHTKE and D-gel: Nap-

methodsCracked teeth were examined using root canal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrogels were synthesized and tested for gelling and mineralization potential. Demineralized and cracked enamel specimens were treated with L-gel, D-gel, deionized water, or sodium fluoride (1000 ppm). Mineralization was assessed via SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and nanoindentation. The biocompatibility of the hydrogels was evaluated using CCK-8 assays and Calcein/PI staining.

resultsA total of 156 cracks (3-4 mm long) and 177 cracks (1-3 μm wide) were identified. SEM revealed distinct crack propagation patterns. Both hydrogels showed stability and mineralization potential, with L-gel group exhibiting denser crystal deposition and a more enamel-mimetic surface after 7 and 14 days of treatment. XRD and EDS confirmed hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystal formation with a natural HAP-like calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Nanoindentation tests showed comparable microhardness and Young's modulus to natural enamel. L-gel effectively sealed cracks with uniform crystal growth over a 14-day period, while D-gel formed sparse deposits. Both hydrogels were biocompatible at concentrations below 500μM.

conclusionSelf-assembling peptide hydrogels, particularly L-gel, demonstrate promising potential for hard tissue regeneration and crack repair in teeth due to their effective mineralization potential, biocompatible nature, and ability to mimic natural enamel structure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A thorough analysis of tooth cracks is crucial for developing targeted and effective repair strategies. Self-assembling peptide hydrogels offer a promising approach for enhancing clinical outcomes in dental crack repair and hard tissue regeneration.

Indexed as

HydrogelsPeptidesBiomimetic MaterialsDental EnamelDurapatiteHumansMaterials TestingMicroscopy, Electron, ScanningSpectrometry, X-Ray EmissionX-Ray DiffractionDurapatiteHydrogelsPeptidesBiocompatibilityCracked toothCrack repairMineralizationSelf-assembling peptide hydrogel

Identifiers

PMID41237592
PMCPMC12663001

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.