RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the crystallographic properties of the mineral phases of normal enamel and dentin (dental apatite) in deciduous and permanent teeth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three kinds of physical methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared absorption spectroscope (IR) and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) were utilized in this study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Dental apatite was not uniphase, but multiphase, which could be described as carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite. Compared to dentin apatite, the higher crystallinity and expanded a-axis lattice parameters were found in enamel. Chemical analyses demonstrated that higher concentrations of Mg and CO(3)(2-) were found in dentin than those of enamel. But enamel had higher Cl content.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The differences among enamel and dentin, in terms of lattice parameter and crystallinity may be partially attributed to the incorporation of Mg, CO(3)(2-) and Cl minor elements.</p>