THE EFFECT OF FLUORIDATED MILK ON HUMAN DENTAL ENAMEL IN AN IN-VITRO DEMINERALIZATION MODEL

Fifty-seven sound human permanent premolars were demineralized for 14 days and then exposed to six different treatments: group 1, 1 mg/l flu oride in milk for 7 days; group 2, 1 mg/l fluoride in milk for 14 days ; group 3, 10 mg/l fluoride in milk for 7 days; group 4, 10 mg/l fluor ide in milk for 14 days; group 5, control non-fluoridated milk for 14 days, and group 6, control tap water for 14 days. Enamel etch samples were taken and analysed for fluoride and for phosphorus. An increase i n the enamel surface fluoride content was observed in groups 1-3. A st atistically significant elevation (p < 0.01) of fluoride content and a significant decrease (p < 0.001) of acid solubility were found only i n group 4.