Solubility properties of human tooth mineral and pathogenesis of dental caries

Dental research over the last century has advanced our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of caries lesions. Increasing knowledge of the dynamic demineralization/remineralization processes has led to the current consensus that bacteria-mediated tooth destruction can be arrested or even to some degree reversed by adopting fluoride and other preventive measures without using restorative materials. Our experimental approach provided new insight into the stoichiometries and solubility properties of human enamel and dentin mineral. The determination of the solubility product constant on the basis of the stoichiometric model (Ca)5.x(Mg)q(Na)u(HPO4)v(CO3)w(PO4)3.y(OH,F)1.z, verifies the difference in their solubility properties, supporting the phase transformation between tooth mineral and calcium phosphates in a wide range of fluid compositions as found in the oral environment. Further refinement of the stoichiometry and solubility parameters is essential to assess quantitatively the driving force for de- and remineralization of enamel and dentin in the oral fluid environment. Prediction of the effects of a combination of inhibitors and accelerator(s) on remineralization kinetics is also required. In order to develop devices efficient for optimizing remineralization in the lesion body, it is a critical question how, and to what extent, fluoride can compensate for the activity of any inhibitors in the mineralizing media.