Journal of Dental Research, Vol 63, 106-110, Copyright © 1984 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Microprobe and SEM analysis of surface coatings on caries-like lesions in enamel after metal ion mordanting and APF application
B. H. Clarkson, J. S. Wefel, I. Miller and J. Edie
The production of tenacious surface coatings on enamel after metal ion
mordanting followed by APF has been reported to prevent caries-like lesion
initiation in vitro. In this study, similar surface coatings, which may be
responsible for the inhibition of lesion progression, were examined using
SEM and microprobe analysis. Relatively thick, even surface coatings which
were in intimate contact with the enamel surface of caries-like lesions
were seen after zirconium and iron (ferric) pre-treatment, but a thinner
and unevenly distributed coating was seen after titanium pre-treatment.
This latter coating was similar to that seen after APF treatment alone.
Fluoride concentrations on the surface and in the subsurface of caries-like
lesions were similar for all treatment groups. The surface coatings after
zirconium and iron mordanting may be responsible for the greater inhibition
of lesion progression than that seen after both titanium pre-treatment and
APF treatment alone.
