Ellipsometric studies of film formation on tooth enamel and hydrophilic silicon surfaces.

The uptake of salivary substances onto hydrophilic negatively charged surfaces of silicon or onto enamel surfaces was studied in vitro with ellipsometry. There was a rapid initial uptake of substances followed by a slow but continuous uptake probably of other substances, which could be removed from saliva by absorption with a S. mutans serotype c strain. the kinetics for the uptake onto enamel and silicon surfaces and the thicknesses of the layers were similar. The combination of ellipsometry and silicon surfaces is suggested as a model for obtaining increased information on dental pellicle formation.