THE INFLUENCE OF pH ON REMINERALIZATION OF ARTIFICIAL DENTAL CARIES

법랑질 인공우식의 재광화에 미치는 pH의 영향에 관한 연구

Much evidence now exists from both in vivo and in vitro studies to support the claim that small caries lesions can 'heal'. But, there are still different views on the mechanism of remineralization. So in order to find the best condition for the remineralization of incipient dental caries in maximum efficient way, the author conducted the experiment which reveals the effect of pH on remineralization. 40 specimens of sound permanent teeth without demineralization or crack, $100{\mu}m$ in thickness, were immersed in lactic acid buffered demineralization solution for 4 days. Dental caries with surface zone and subsurface lesion were artificially produced. All specimens were immersed in lactic acid buffered remineralization solution of pH 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 containg fluoride ion for 10 days. The results were obtaind by observing the specimens for every 10 days under polarized microscopy at x25. 1. Remineralization did not occur in entire depth of body of lesion at given degree of saturation and concentration of fluoride ion. 2. The pattern of remineralization has increased according to increase of pH. So it can be concluded that supersaturated solution with fluoride ion can be affected by pH in remineralization of enamel, and pH 5.5 seems to be very effective in remineralization of deep and surface zone of dental caries. However, more complex factors exist in achieving complete remineralization and further continuous researches are needed to clarify the factors.