Multi-modal characterization of rodent dental development

The developing dentition comprises vital hard tissues of the craniofacial
complex that undergo complex and distinct mineralization stages of
development through changes in their physicochemical properties. This
study investigates the mechanical and chemical properties of the
developing enamel, dentin, and bone in mouse mandibles. We employ a
multi-modal, multi-scale analysis of the developing post-natal incisor and
first molar by integrating micro-computed tomography, nanoindentation,
energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Our findings
reveal patterns of mechanical, elemental, and chemical changes across the
developing incisor in enamel and dentin. Magnesium, iron, and the
carbon-to-phosphate ratio were significantly associated with enamel
properties, while magnesium composition was associated with dentin. These
results demonstrate that the mineral composition drives mechanical
properties across these developing craniofacial hard tissues. The
integrative multi-modal approach provides a quantitative perspective on
the early stages of enamel and dentin mineralization of the developing
incisor.