Volumetric assessment and quantitative element analysis of the effect of fluoridated milk on enamel demineralization.
OBJECTIVE
It was the purpose of this study to investigate the effect of milk and fluoridated milk on experimentally induced caries-like-lesions.


METHODS
Twelve extracted impacted human molars were covered with wax leaving two 3 mm x 3 mm windows on the buccal and lingual surfaces and incubated alternating in demineralizing solution at pH 4.85 and in milk, F-milk, saline, and remineralizing solution, respectively. Afterwards serial ground sections were cut and investigated by polarization-light-microscopy (PLM) and SEM using EDX element analysis.


RESULTS
The results showed increased thickness of the superficial layer in the F-milk samples. Quantitative element analysis revealed a significant increase in the fluoride content of the superficial layer and of the body of the lesion of the F-milk group. The body of the lesion of the F-milk group was less demineralized than in the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
From the results we conclude, that the parallel investigation by PLM, SEM combined with EDX quantitative element analysis is a powerful method to assess caries-like-lesion formation and that fluoridated milk has protective properties in inhibiting demineralization.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Alfred Herrhausen Strasse 50, 58448, Witten, Germany. wolfa@uni-wh.de <wolfa@uni-wh.de>
W H
WH
Arnold
M
M
Cerman
K
K
Neuhaus
P
P
Gaengler
D000818:Animals; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005457:Fluoridation; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D008892:Milk; D008963:Molar; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D005459:Fluorides