CRYSTALLITE SIZE OF CROWN AND ROOT DENTIN FROM VITAL AND ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH

Crown and root dentin from vital and endodontically treated teeth after their extraction were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis in order to determine and compare the dentin crystallite size. The tooth samples were divided into 6 groups according to the localization (crown or root sections) and type of dentin (young, old and endodontically treated teeth). Crystallite size was calculated and compared between the groups. All old dentin and root dentin samples (especially endodontically treated ones) are characterized by small crystallite sizes. In contrast, young crown dentin contained the largest crystallites. It can be suggested that the processes of ageing and endodontic treatment alter the structure of dentin, causing the formation of smaller crystallites. This could be attributed to the presence of transparent dentin and the specific mechanisms of its progressive accumulation.