The mineralization of enamel surfaces. A constant composition kinetics study.

The in vitro remineralization of acid-etched enamel surfaces offers an attractive model for simulating carious lesion recalcification and the repair of teeth in the oral environment. In the present work the influence of the extent of etching with hydrochloric and phosphoric acids has been examined. The kinetics of growth of hydroxyapatite as an exclusive phase on the pretreated enamel surfaces has been studied by means of a constant solution composition procedure. This method enables studies to be made at low constant supersaturations so that the stoichiometry of the precipitating phase may be defined. The very small rates of mineralization with HAP were determined with a precision hitherto unattainable. In addition, the influence of fluoride ion in enhancing the remineralization of damaged enamel has been investigated.