Regensburg 2007 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 26: Poster Session II

BP 26.34: Poster

Thursday, March 29, 2007, 17:00–19:30, Poster B

Teeth: a nanostructured multicomponent material — •Christian Zeitz, Frank Müller, Stefan Hüfner, and Karin Jacobs — Saarland University, Experimental Physics, D-66041 Saarbrücken, Germany

The enamel of teeth is a complex nanostructured system and is the hardest mineralized tissue in the human body. It contains more than 95 % of mineral, embedded in an organic matrix of enamel proteins and collagen fibers. The aim of our study is the characterization of the structures by means of electron and atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, we are interested in the role of fluorides in reducing the tooth decay. Fluoride ions are incorporated into and stabilize the apatite crystal of teeth, yet the specific type of binding is unclear. We therefore perform photoelectron spectroscopy studies on enamel and artificial enamel surfaces.