[Ultrastructural pattern of enamel in initial caries].

In beginning caries of particular interest are destructive changes in the enamel layers just below the surface. The studied material comprised about twenty enamel blocks obtained from 10 teeth with carietic spots removed for orthodontic reasons in children aged 12-14 years. The aim of the study was assessment of the initial enamel damage under electron microscope. In all electronograms of the enamel involved by the carietic spot various grades of demineralization of the enamel below its surface were seen. The changes in initial caries seemed well delineated from the remaining healthy enamel, although within the carietic focus demineralization was observed from very slight widening of the area around the prisms to massive destruction of prism structure. The changes in the carietic spot under electron microscope showed a wide variety of patterns of destruction of enamel prisms, although clinically the surface of the enamel involved by beginning caries was small and not damaged.