Journal of Dental Research, Vol 66, 1640-1643, Copyright © 1987 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The use of saturated DCPD in remineralization of artificial caries lesions in vitro
J. S. Wefel and J. D. Harless
Dows Institute for Dental Research, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) may play a significant role in the
caries lesion since it is a stable calcium phosphate phase under acidic
conditions. The reaction of DCPD and fluoride, forming fluorapatite (FAP),
may provide a potentially promising treatment regimen for remineralization
of caries lesions in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine
whether a two-step DCPD and inorganic wash with fluoride can remineralize
artificial caries-like lesions in vitro. We used the single-section
technique to facilitate quantitation of the same tissue before and after
the experimental regimen. The two-step remineralizing treatment was
repeated three times and consisted of a two-minute saturated DCPD treatment
(pH 2.1) followed by a 24-hour inorganic wash. Lesion parameters were
recorded before and after treatment by the taking of polarized light
photomicrographs of each section after imbibition in several media. The
changes in the tissue following treatment were expressed as a percent
change in the area of the initial pre-treatment lesion. Significant
reductions (p < 0.02) in lesion pore volume were observed in all aqueous
media examined. In the lesions after imbibition in quinoline,
remineralization was also apparent from the significant increase in the
area of the dark zone following treatment. This two-step DCPD treatment
appears to remineralize artificial caries-like lesions effectively, but
additional work is needed to determine whether it affords any protection
against subsequent cariogenic challenges.
