Journal of Dental Research, Vol 66, 1016-1019, Copyright © 1987 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of the adsorption of salivary constituents on enamel
Y. Kuboki, K. Teraoka and S. Okada
Time-dependent change of adsorption of salivary components on the outermost
surface layer of enamel was studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Adsorption of proteinaceous components, as monitored in terms of the
relative mass of nitrogen, was detected within 30 min, increased with time,
and reached a plateau at 90 min. Thus, the ratio of nitrogen to calcium in
the two-hour sample increased to about 240 times that in the control
sample. The ratio of carbon to nitrogen on the surface decreased to about
one-half of that in the control sample. The data established the time
required for equilibrium between the proteinaceous component in saliva and
the amount of material adsorbed onto the tooth surface.
