title: Morphological changes in dental enamel after fluoride gel application in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The investigations of in vitro models precede the clinical studies. Using these studied we can investigate the effect upon the enamel of different agents for local application.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural changes in a normal and partially demineralized enamel after 0.42% fluoride gel application in vitro using scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experiment was performed on 20 premolars extracted for orthodontic indications. Symmetrical specimens were prepared, as one half served as a control, while the other one was treated with fluoride gel. The specimens were examined with electron microscope at different magnifications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings show that fluoride gel applications affect the processes of mineralization and remineralization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This gives us the ground for applying fluoride gel in the clinical practice for prevention and treatment of caries incipiens.
authors.affiliation: Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Higher Medical Institute, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kukleva
mesh_terms: D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D005782:Gels; D008903:Minerals