The microcrystal alignment in human tooth enamel from carious and non-carious teeth in relation to caries susceptibility.
The degree of microcrystal alignment in the intact enamel from carious and non-carious upper incisors, lower incisors and upper canines was determined by means of electron paramagnetic resonance. The results show that a low degree of alignment is not a generally valid indication for caries-susceptibility. Upper canines have a high degree of crystallite alignment whereas lower incisors have a relatively low one. With the exception of the upper central incisors no differences in microcrystal alignment are found between the intact enamel from carious and non-carious lower incisors and upper canines. These results indicate that a possible caries-susceptibility of tooth enamel reflected by low R-values is not solely determined by the degree of microcrystal alignment.
D003460:Crystallization; D003481:Cuspid / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000032:analysis* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects