J Korean Acad Conserv Dent.  2010 Mar;35(2):96-105. 10.5395/JKACD.2010.35.2.096.

The remineralization aspect of enamel according to change of the degree of saturation of the organic acid buffering solution in pH 5.5

• Park JS
• Park SH
• Park JW
• Lee CY

• KMID: 2176297
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5395/JKACD.2010.35.2.096

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to observe and compare the remineralization tendencies of artificial enamel caries lesion by remineralization solutions of different degree of saturations at pH 5.5, using a polarizing microscope and computer programs (Photoshop, Image pro plus, Scion Image, Excel). For this study, 48 sound permanent teeth with no signs of demineralization, cracks, or dental restorations were used. The specimens were immersed in lactic acid demineralization solution for 2 days in order to produce artificial dental caries that consist of surface and subsurface lesions. Each of 9 or 10 specimens was immersed in pH 5.5 lactic acid buffering remineralization solution of four different degrees of saturation (0.507, 0.394, 0.301, and 0.251) for 12 days. After the demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by a polarizing microscope (x100). The results were obtained by observing images of the specimens, and using computer programs, the density of caries lesions were estimated. While the group with the lowest degree of saturation (0.251) showed total remineralization feature from the surface to the subsurface of the lesion, the group with the highest degree of saturation (0.507) showed demineralization mainly on the surface of the lesion at the constant organic acid concentration 0.01 M and pH 5.5.

Keyword

Demineralization; Remineralization; pH; Degree of saturation; Artificial cares; Enamel

MeSH Terms

Dental Caries
Dental Enamel
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Lactic Acid
Software
Tooth
Lactic Acid

Figure

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  Figure 1 Polarizing microscopic observation of demineralized enamel (Group 1, × 100).

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  Figure 2 Polarizing microscopic observation of remineralized enamel (Group 1, × 100).

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  Figure 3 Polarizing microscopic observation of demineralized enamel (Group 2, × 100).

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  Figure 4 Polarizing microscopic observation of remineralized enamel (Group 2, × 100).

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  Figure 5 Polarizing microscopic observation of demineralized enamel (Group 3, × 100).

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  Figure 6 Polarizing microscopic observation of remineralized enamel (Group 3, × 100).

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  Figure 7 Polarizing microscopic observation of demineralized enamel (Group 4, × 100).

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  Figure 8 Polarizing microscopic observation of remineralized enamel (Group 4, × 100).

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  Figure 9 Change ratio of demineralized depth (demineralized depth after remineralization / demineralized depth before remineralization) × 100 (%).

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  Figure 10 Change rate of surface lesion width (surface lesion width after remineralization / surface lesion width before remineralization) × 100 (%).

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  Figure 11 Comparison of density in enamel area before and after remineralization (Group 1).

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  Figure 12 Comparison of density in enamel area before and after remineralization (Group 2).

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  Figure 13 Comparison of density in enamel area before and after remineralization (Group 3).

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  Figure 14 Comparison of density in enamel area before and after remineralization (Group 4).

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  Figure 15 Change rate of remineralizalized amount before and after remineralization ((demineralized area before remineralization-demineralized area after remineralization/demineralized area before remineralization) ×100 + 100 (%)).

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