Journal of Dental Research, Vol 63, 1136-1139, Copyright © 1984 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
In vivo remineralization of human enamel and dental calculus formation
I. Hoyer, P. Gaengler and R. Bimberg
The aim of this investigation was to determine the inorganic composition
and the surface morphology of remineralized enamel areas and of dental
calculus in heavy-calculus-formers (five subjects) and to compare these
results with those of non-calculus-formers (two subjects). Electron probe
micro-analysis (EPMA) was carried out on sound, acid-etched, and in vivo
remineralized enamel samples from heavy- and non-calculus-formers. The mean
values of Ca, P, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, and K were compared with the SEM
morphology. EPMA measurements showed no significant differences in the Ca/P
ratio of the surface layers of prism-oriented and/or homogeneous enamel
remineralization. The variations of remineralization pattern after
acid-etching are similar in teeth from heavy dental-calculus-forming
patients and in teeth from non-calculus-formers. The SEM appearances of
remineralized areas and of the inner surface of mature dental calculus must
be considered to be totally different. The experiments carried out suggest
that the remineralization of enamel is not related to the formation of
calculus.
