The effect of undissociated acetic-acid concentration of buffer solutions on artificial caries-like lesion formation in human tooth enamel.

A chemical system for lesion production was used. The influence on lesion characteristics of the concentration of undissociated acetic acid in a calcium and phosphate-containing buffer solution was investigated. Artificial lesions obtained after demineralization in buffers with a pH of 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 or 6.0 at 5 or 6 different acid concentrations for different demineralization times were investigated micro-radiographically. The lesion characteristics studied were: the mineral content of the surface layer; the mineral content of the body of the lesion; and the depth at which these mineral levels were reached; the depth of the lesion. The concentration of undissociated acetic acid had little effect on the lesion characteristics at low pH. When lower concentration buffers at pH 6.0 were used, the effect was more pronounced. At this level, the buffer capacity of the acetic acid/acetate buffer is small.