• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.277-290
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• 1993

Dental caries is considered to be caused by demineralization by organic acid produced by microorganism. But the formation of subsurface lesion in initial caries make it diffcult to explain by simple demineralization. This study is carried out on the basis of thermodynamic concept proposed by Margolis and Moreno. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of acid concentration and pH of lactate buffer system on the artificial caries lesion progress. 160 teeth without any crack, defect or opaque enamel were used and coated with nail varnish except the window ($2{\times}3$ mm). Under the constant degree of saturation(D.S.). The teeth were divided into 8 groups according to acid concentration(10mM, 25mM, 50mM, 100mM) and pH(4.3, 5.0, 6.0). Each group was immersed in buffer solution for 3, 6, 9, 18 days under controlled temperature($25^{\circ}C$). After cutting through the window and grinding, the specimens, 100-150 um in thickness, were imbibed in water or air and examined using polarilizing microscope. The depth of the surface and subsurface surface lesion were measured. 1. In the constant pH and D. S. value, the subsurface lesion progresses more rapidly as the concentration of lactic acid increases. (0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1) 2. In the constant acid concentration and DS value, the subsurface lesion progresses more slowly as the pH increases. (4.3, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0) 3. The width of surface lesion seems to be constant independant of pH and acid concentration.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.529-538
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• 2002

There is no adverse opinion on the anticariogenic effect of fluoride, so glass ionomer restoration which release the fluoride is recommended fer child patient. To study the anticariogenic effect of initial carious lesion of fluoride released from adjacent glass ionomer restoration, the in situ model was constructed. A microhardness test, polarized scope investigation and electron probe microanalysis was done for analyzing the distribution of fluoride which was precipitated from glass ionomer restoration to the enamel caries lesion. Fuji IX, the conventional glass ionomer, was used for experimental group and Z-100, composite resin that fluoride was not contained, was used for control group. On the microhardness test, the remineralization was accelerated by fluoride. And on the polarized investigation, the size of caries lesion was reduced in the oral cavity and that phenomenon was accelerated by fluoride, too. Electron probe microanalysis shows that the remineralization was accelerated by fluoride and the fluoride concentration on subsurface area was increased. It maybe that the subsurface area was critical to anticariogenic effect. In summary of these result, initial caries lesion can be remineralized in the oral cavity and that phenomenon can be accelerated by fluoride. The subsurface area of caries lesion was a major part of defense to cariogenic invasion and to conserve the subsurface area, the surface of lesion body have to conserved.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.470-488
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• 1996

The end products of the metabolism of the oral microorganism, organic acids, are an element that produces dental caries. Four organic acids in plaque fluid, lactic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, propionic acid which take the important role in producing dental caries, were chosen to evaluate the effect of acid type and concentration. The subject, $100{\mu}m$ in thickness, were immersed in acid-buffer solution which has the different acid concentration of 10mM, 25mM, 50mM, 100mM and pH 4.3 and degree of saturation was $0.153{\pm}0.003$ kept in constant and were operated to produce artificial caries under different demineralization time (1, 2, 3 day) at x25. The results were obtained by observing under polarizing microscope at x25. 1. The subsurface lesion, specific finding of incipient enamel caries, showed positive birefringence. but surface zone and sound enamel showed negative birefringence. 2. The demineralization rate of enamel was increased as the acid concentration increased. 3. The subsurface lesion showed increasing depth in the order of lactic, acetic, propionic acid, succinic acid. 4. The concentration of organic acid in artificial caries system had an independent effect on demineralization rate in enamel under the constant pH and degree of saturation. The result of this study showed that not only pH and the acid strength but the concentration of organic acid had an independent effect on demineralization rate in early enamel caries. And through the further research on the factors influencing enamel demineralization, it will be necessary to develop an effective caries preventive therapy.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.161-173
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• 1996

The cariostatic effect of fluoride had been established by many epidemiologic and experimental studies. But, there are still different views on the mechnism of cariostasis and remineralization, especially about the proper fluoride concentration. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the remineralization of caries lesion and influence of fluoride concentration which affect remineralization by a study based on dynamic mechanism. The subjects, sound permanent teeth without demineralization or crack, 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 which had fluoride concentrations of 1 ppm, 2 ppm, 3 ppm for 10days. Final conclusions were obtained by observing the specimens for every 10 days under polarized microscopy. 1. Remineralization of caries lesion as well as demineralization of enamel were produced by changing the degree of saturation of lactic acid buffer solution. 2. Remineralization of caries lesion was facillitated by fluoride ion in lactic acid buffer solution. but, remineralization of the entire caries lesion was not increased as fluoride ion concentration increased.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.615-615
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• 2003

I. Objectives This study was performed to get some information about micromorphology of subsurface lesion of root caries by observing autofluorescence using confocal laser scanning microscope(CLSM) with minimum sample preparation. II. Materials and Methods Half-cut and 1 mm thick sample of human teeth were prepared to produce artificial root carious lesions. Incipient subsurface lesions were produced under optimal pH and saturity. The lesions were observed by polarized microscopy, CLSM, and back-scattered electron microscope(BSE). Calcium and phosphorus concentrations of the lesions were analyzed by line EDAX. (omitted)

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.481-492
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to observe and compare the remineralization tendencies of artificially demineralized enamel by remineralization solutions of different degree of saturations at pH 5.5, using a polarizing microscope and computer programs (Photoshop, Image pro plus, Scion Image, Excel). For this study, 36 sound permanent teeth with no signs of demineralization, cracks, or dental restorations were used. The specimens were immersed in lactic acid demineralization solution for 3 days in order to produce dental caries artificially that consist of surface and subsurface lesions. Each of 9 or 10 specimens was immersed in pH 5.5 lactic acid buffered remineralization solution of three different degrees of saturation (0.25, 0.30, 0.35) for 12 days. After the demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by a polarizing microscope $({\times}100)$. The results were obtained by observing images of the specimens, and using computer programs, the density of caries lesions were determined. In conclusion, in the group with the lowest degree of saturation, remineralization occurred thoroughly from the surface to the subsurface lesion, whereas in the groups with greater degree of saturation showed no significant change in the subsurface lesion, although there was corresponding increase in the remineralization width on the surface zones.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to observe and compare the remineralization tendencies of artificial enamel caries lesion by remineralization solutions of different degree of saturations at pH 5.5, using a polarizing microscope and computer programs (Photoshop, Image pro plus, Scion Image, Excel). For this study, 48 sound permanent teeth with no signs of demineralization, cracks, or dental restorations were used. The specimens were immersed in lactic acid demineralization solution for 2 days in order to produce artificial dental caries that consist of surface and subsurface lesions. Each of 9 or 10 specimens was immersed in pH 5.5 lactic acid buffering remineralization solution of four different degrees of saturation (0.507, 0.394, 0.301, and 0.251) for 12 days. After the demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by a polarizing microscope (${\times}100$). The results were obtained by observing images of the specimens, and using computer programs, the density of caries lesions were est mated. While the group with the lowest degree of saturation (0.251) showed total remineralization feature from the surface to the subsurface of the lesion, the group with the highest degree of saturation (0.507) showed demineralization mainly on the surface of the lesion at the constant organic acid concentration 0.01 M and pH 5.5.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.507-517
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• 2008

There are considerable in vitro and in vivo evidences for remineralization and demineralization occurring simultaneously in incipient enamel caries. In order to "heal" the incipient dental caries, many experiments have been carried out to determine the optimal conditions for remineralization. It was shown that remineralization is affected by different pH, lactic acid concentrations, chemical composition of the enamel, fluoride concentrations, etc. Eighty specimens from sound permanent teeth without demineralization or cracks, 0.15 mm in thickness, were immersed in lactic acid buffered demineralization solutions for 3 days. Dental caries with a surface zone and subsurface lesion were artificially produced. Groups of 10 specimens were immersed for 10 or 12 days in lactic acid buffered remineralization solutions consisting of pH 4.3 or pH 6.0, and 100, 50, 25, or 10 mM lactic acid. After demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by polarizing microscopy (${\times}100$) and micro-computed tomography. The results were obtained by observing images of the specimens and the density of the caries lesions was determined. 1.As the lactic acid concentration of the remineralization solutions with pH 4.3 was higher, the surface zone of the carious enamel increased and an isotropic zone of the subsurface lesion was found. However, the total decalcification depth increased at the same time. 2.In the remineralization solutions with pH 6.0, only the surface zone increased slightly but there was no significant change in the total decalcification depth and subsurface zone. In the lactic acid buffer solutions with the lower pH and higher lactic acid concentration, there were dynamic changes at the deep area of the dental carious lesion.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to observe and compare the dynamic change of artificially demineralized enamel by remineralization solutions of different degrees of saturation at pH 4.3. In this study, 30 enamel specimens were demineralized artificially by lactic acid buffered solution. Each of 10 specimens was immersed in pH 4.3 remineralization solution of three different degrees of saturation (0.22, 0.30, 0.35) for 10 days. After demineralization and remineralization, images were taken by a polarizing microscope (${\times}100$). The density of lesion were determined from images taken after demineralization and remineralization. During remineralization process, mineral deposition and mineral loss occurred at the same time. After remineralization, total mineral amount and width of surface lesion increased in all groups. The higher degree of saturation was, the more mineral deposition occurred in surface lesion and the amount of mineral deposition was not much in subsurface lesion. Total demineralized depth increased in all groups.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.193-208
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• 1997

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.