FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CARIOUS LESIONS IN BOVINE TEETH IN-VITRO

This study aimed to determine the effect of temperature, duration of e xposure, position on enamel surface, and type of demineralization solu tion on the production of caries-like lesions in bovine enamel in vitr o, and to establish the conditions for the formation of artificial car ies in bovine enamel. Caries-like lesions were produced in incisal, mi ddle and cervical sites on enamel samples, with either an acidified hy droxyethylcellulose gel system or a partially saturated acidic buffer solution at either 20 degrees C or 37 degrees C for 3, 4, or 5 days. L esion variables (mineral loss/lesion depth) were quantified. Regular s ubsurface lesions were produced in all specimens in acidic buffer solu tion within 3 days at either temperature. In gel, caries-like lesions were produced in 62% of the specimens at 37 degrees C and in 49% at 20 degrees C, while the remaining specimens were either eroded or soften ed. Mineral loss and lesion depth were significantly greater with buff er than with gel, and with increased length of exposure in either solu tion. There were no significant differences in either variable with po sition or temperature in either solutions, though numerically both var iables were greater at the cervical site, and at 37 degrees C in eithe r solution. It was concluded that caries-like lesions can be consisten tly produced in bovine enamel with a partially saturated acidic buffer solution at 20 degrees C or 37 degrees C within 3 days. (C) 1998 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.