Fig. 3.

Remineralization assay. The arrows indicate the thickness of needle-like crystals. (a–f) FE-SEM micrographs ( × 10,000) of the remineralization cross-sections in C8-P-113 (MBC), DPS-C8-P-113 (MBC), 8DSS-C8-P-113 (MBC), 8DSS-C8-P-113 (16 μM mL⁻¹), agarose, and control group on the 1st day. (g–l) FE-SEM micrographs ( × 2000) in different groups on the 3rd day. (m–r) FE-SEM micrographs ( × 1000) in different groups on the 7th day. (s) Magnification of micrograph (p) ( × 20,000). The big brace indicates the thickness of the 8DSS-C8-P-113 hydrogel layer. (t) Magnification of micrograph (u) ( × 10,000). (u) Magnification of micrograph (r) ( × 2000). (v) Vicker's hardness of different surface treated-enamel specimens after 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days of incubation in the remineralization solution. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, compared with control group on the same day. (w) The indentation made on the remineralized tooth surface.