Journal of Dental Research, Vol 69, 1626-1633, Copyright © 1990 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
A light and scanning electron microscopic study of enamel decalcification in children living in a water-fluoridated area
A. Thylstrup, R. M. Boyar, L. Holmen and G. H. Bowden
Department of Cariology and Endodontics, Royal Dental College, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Eleven children, each having one or two pairs of premolars to be extracted
for orthodontic purposes, participated in the study. The model involved
placement of a special orthodontic band that allowed the accumulation of
plaque in a defined area between the band and the buccal enamel.
Examination of enamel changes was carried out in experimental teeth that
had been exposed to local plaque accumulation for one, two, four, eight or
14 days. The specimens were examined under the light (LM) and the scanning
electron microscope (SEM). All teeth had signs of very mild dental
fluorosis. No indications of demineralization were noted after one day. SEM
examination showed signs of crystal dissolution in some of the two-day
specimens. Six of eight four-day specimens exhibited surface dissolution.
All eight- and 14-day specimens showed signs of surface demineralization in
the LM as well as in the SEM. These observations documented that
undisturbed bacterial deposits are capable of initiating enamel
demineralization within short time periods, even in children living in a
water-fluoridated area.
