THE EFFECTS OF THE DEGREE OF SATURATION OF ACIDULATED BUFFER SOLUTIONS IN ENAMEL AND DENTIN REMINERALIZATION AND AFM OBSERVATION OF HYDROXYAPATITE CRYSTALS

유기산 완충용액의 포화도가 법랑질 및 상아질의 재광화에 미치는 영향과 수산화인회석의 AFM 관찰

Dental caries is the most common disease in the maxillofacial area. There are many factors contributing to its development, but complete understanding and prevention is not fully known. Since the structure of the coronal and root portion of the tooth is different, the remineralization and demineralization process is also known to be different. In this study, by using a partially saturated buffer solution, we created artificial enamel and dentin caries and evaluated mineral loss. A remineralization solution with four different degrees of saturation (degree of saturation ; group 1, 0.268, group 2, 0.309, group 3, 0.339, group 4, 0.390, PH 4.3, F-2ppm) was used on a demineralized specimen. The mineral precipitating quantity and depth was evaluated by using microradiography. Using an atomic force microscope (AFM), hydroxyapatite crystals of normal, demineralized, and remineralized enamel and dentin were evaluated. The results were as follows: 1. As the degree of saturation of the remineralizing solution increased, the mineral precipitation in the enamel was increased. In group 4, mineral precipitation was limited near the surface. 2. As the degree of saturation of the remineralizing solution increased, the mineral precipitation in the dentin was decreased and it occurred in a deeper portion. In group 4, however, mineral precipitation occurred on the surface and its quantity increased. 3. There was a statistically significant interaction between enamel and dentin mineral content changes on specimens treated with remineralization and demineralization solution (demineralization r=0.44, remineralization r=0.44, p<0.05). 4. Demineralized hydroxyapatite crystals showed central and peripheral dissolving and widening of intercrystal spaces under the AFM. 5. In dentin remineralization small crystal precipitation occurred between the large crystals. We conclude that by adjusting acidulated buffer solution's degree of saturation, we can control enamel and dentin remineralization. In addition, the AFM is highly useful in evaluating changes in remineralized and demineralized hydroxyapatite crystals.