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Published on: February 2, 2018
Evaluation of bacteria-induced enamel demineralization using optical profilometry
Sarah E Cross1, Jens Kreth, R Paul Wali
1UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Summary
Optical profiling effectively measured tooth enamel demineralization caused by Streptococcus mutans biofilms and lactic acid. This technique revealed significant increases in enamel roughness, aiding the study of tooth decay.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials science
- Microbiology
- Dental research
Background:
- Streptococcus mutans metabolizes sucrose, producing lactic acid.
- Lactic acid lowers oral pH, causing tooth enamel demineralization.
- Understanding bacteria-induced enamel demineralization is crucial for dental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate enamel demineralization induced by S. mutans biofilms.
- To analyze the effects of lactic acid and citric acid on tooth enamel.
- To demonstrate the utility of optical profiling in studying these processes.
Main Methods:
- Optical profiling measured enamel decay with nanometer vertical resolution.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used for comparison.
- Surface topography changes were analyzed after exposure to S. mutans biofilms and organic acids.
Main Results:
- Enamel roughness (Ra and Rms) increased significantly (7-8 fold) after 72h of S. mutans biofilm exposure.
- Optical profiling showed significant topographical alterations and increased roughness upon exposure to lactic and citric acids.
- Quantitative erosion rates were determined for demineralization processes.
Conclusions:
- Optical profiling is a powerful tool for analyzing biofilm-induced enamel demineralization.
- The study demonstrated the technique's ability to quantify surface changes during demineralization.
- This method provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of tooth decay.
