Journal of Dental Research, Vol 66, 1485-1489, Copyright © 1987 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Development of an intra-oral single-section remineralization model
J. S. Wefel, G. J. Maharry, M. E. Jensen and J. D. Harless
An intra-oral model system has been developed which uses a single-section
technique for before-and-after measurements on the same tissue. This model
allows for placement of sections of enamel at both buccal and approximal
sites. These sections may be sound or possess white-spot lesions. This
allows for the evaluation of lesion initiation, lesion progression, and/or
lesion remineralization. The sections are appropriate for measurement by
polarized light microscopy, and, although not included in this study, they
are also suitable for microradiographic evaluation. With ten human
volunteers, the model system was evaluated by means of three rinse regimens
in a cross-over design. The distilled water rinse showed the whole range of
possible changes (e.g., demineralization, no change, and remineralization).
More consistent remineralization was observed when a fluoride rinse or a
remineralizing fluid was used. This model system should prove to be quite
useful in evaluation of demineralization and remineralization phenomena in
the oral environment.
