title: Quantitative microradiographic study of simultaneous demineralization/remineralization of dental enamel in weak acid buffers.
abstract: The remineralization behavior of weak acid-treated bovine tooth enamel has been investigated using a recently developed quantitative microradiographic method. Acetate buffer solutions at pH 4.5 containing calcium, phosphate, and 10 ppm fluoride were used in this study. When the solution ion activity product ( KFAP = a10CA a6PO4 a2F ) was 1 X 10(-108), the remineralization of the demineralized region was relatively uniform and complete. On the other hand, when the KFAP was approximately less than or equal to 1 X 10(-112), remineralization of the outer 10-20 micron was incomplete. In addition, for the smaller KFAP solutions there was significant demineralization in the deeper recesses of the originally demineralized region. These results agree with a recent chemical kinetics study in which it was proposed that KFAP = 1 X 10(-112) demarcated the region of solution conditions in which remineralization only occurs from that in which simultaneous demineralization/remineralization takes place. A model consistent with all of the data is proposed.
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids; D000818:Animals; D002021:Buffers; D002417:Cattle; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D003747:Dental Enamel Solubility; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008852:Microradiography; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D002021:Buffers; D008903:Minerals