[Experimental and theoretical aspects of the pathogenesis and prevention of caries (author's transl)]

This article discusses the uses and possible ways of increasing the effectiveness of caries preventives. The authors describe the mechanisms of homeostasis and resistance of dental enamel and the ways in which these processes proceed in the production of caries and underscore the characteristics of enamel as a cell-free form of tissue which because of the lack of elements serving to receive biological information is only indirectly connected with neurohumoral regulatory mechanisms. Also, reasons are given for the necessity of making fundamental theoretical studies into both local and general measures of prevention of caries.