title: In vivo scanning electron microscope assessment of enamel permeability in primary teeth with and without early childhood caries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over the years, certain primary teeth have been shown to be highly sensitive to dental caries, while others have remained caries-free. It has been hypothesized that this may be attributed to differences in the permeability of the enamel surface.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the hypothesized differences in the permeability of primary tooth enamel in children with and those without Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) using scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen children between 3 and 6 years of age were randomly selected and divided into two groups: Group 1, children without S-ECC (n = 8), and Group 2, children with S-ECC (n = 8). In each child, 4 teeth (the maxillary right and left central and lateral incisors) were subjected to evaluation. An impression was made with polyvinylsiloxane impression material, and scanning electron microscopy was used to inspect the negative replicas for droplets.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated higher significance when individual regions (cervical, middle, and incisal thirds) in the two groups were evaluated and compared. Similarly, the overall results showed high statistical significance between S-ECC and non-S-ECC teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There could be a positive relationship between the permeability of tooth enamel and the development of caries, which needs further research.
authors: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Dental College and Hospital, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India.
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Narrenthran
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Muthu
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Renugalakshmi
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003745:Dental Enamel Permeability / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000069416:Intravital Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D016628:Replica Techniques; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure