The effects of NaF, alpha-C12DMEAHF and alpha-C12DMEAHCl on caries development in dentine in situ.

Using histological techniques it was possible to demonstrate that during in situ caries development in bovine dentine, the demineralization process preceded the emergence and changes in the organic matrices. In addition, these data demonstrated as that 0.006% F- given either as the quaternary ammonium compound or NaF completely prevented demineralization by acting primarily on the dentine mineral. Inhibition by the quaternary ammonium compound alone was incomplete probably through repression of acid production by micro-organisms normally resident in the saliva.