Journal of Dental Research, Vol 60, 1783-1792, Copyright © 1981 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The mineralization of enamel surfaces. A constant composition kinetics study
Z. Amjad, P. G. Koutsoukos and G. H. Nancollas
The in vitro remineralization of acid-etched enamel surfaces offers an
attractive model for simulating carious lesion recalcification and the
repair of teeth in the oral environment. In the present work the influence
of the extent of etching with hydrochloric and phosphoric acids has been
examined. The kinetics of growth of hydroxyapatite as an exclusive phase on
the pretreated enamel surfaces has been studied by means of a constant
solution composition procedure. This method enables studies to be made at
low constant supersaturations so that the stoichiometry of the
precipitating phase may be defined. The very small rates of mineralization
with HAP were determined with a precision hitherto unattainable. In
addition, the influence of fluoride ion in enhancing the remineralization
of damaged enamel has been investigated.
