title: Vertical scanning interferometry: A new method to quantify re-/de-mineralization dynamics of dental enamel.
abstract: Remineralization and demineralization are processes that compete in the oral environment. At this time, numerous therapeutic agents are being developed to promote remineralization (precipitation) or suppress demineralization (dissolution). To evaluate the relative efficacy of such treatments, there is a need for non-invasive, real-time, high-resolution quantifications of topographical changes occurring during demineralization and remineralization.
  
  
  
  Vertical scanning interferometry (VSI) is demonstrated to be a quantitative method to assess reactions, and topographical changes occurring on enamel surfaces following exposure to demineralizing, and remineralizing liquids.
  
  
  
  First, the dissolution rate of enamel was compared to that of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) under acidic conditions (pH=4). Second, VSI was used to compare the remineralization effects of F(-)-based and CCP-ACP agents. The former produced a remineralization rate of ≈349nm/h, similar to simulated body fluid (SBF; concentration 4.6×) while the latter produced a remineralization rate of ≈55nm/h, corresponding to 1.7× SBF. However, the precipitates formed by the CCP-ACP agent are found to demineralize 2.7× slower than that produced by its F(-)-counterpart.
  
  
  
  Based on this new VSI-based data, a remineralization factor (RF) and demineralization (DF) factor benchmarked, respectively, to 1× SBF and the demineralization rate of human enamel are suggested as figures of merit of therapeutic performance of dental treatments. Taken together, the outcomes offer new insights that can inform clinicians and researchers on the selection of remineralization strategies.
authors: Laboratory for the Chemistry of Construction Materials (LC(2)), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Pignatelli
authors: Laboratory for the Chemistry of Construction Materials (LC(2)), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors: Aditya
authors: A
authors: Kumar
authors: Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors: Kumar
authors: K
authors: Shah
authors: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Institute for Technology Advancement (ITA), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Balonis
authors: Physics of Amorphous and Inorganic Solids Laboratory (PARISlab), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Bauchy
authors: Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: benwu@ucla.edu.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Wu
authors: Laboratory for the Chemistry of Construction Materials (LC(2)), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: gsant@ucla.edu.
authors: Gaurav
authors: G
authors: Sant
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003743:Dental Enamel; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D017001:Tooth Demineralization; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents
keywords: CPP–ACP toothpaste; Demineralization; Fluoride toothpaste; Remineralization; Teeth; Vertical scanning interferometry