[The effect of several acids and proteolytic enzymes on the production of artificial caries]

Human tooth slabs were used to observe the effect of several kinds of organic acids and proteolytic enzymes on the production of artificial caries of enamel. Acidic gels were made by formic, acetic and lactic acids separately or in mixed form. The experiments were done in a period of 10 days. After this the specimens were prepared in ground sections and observed under optic microscope. The depth of the artificial lesions was measured by a micrometric scale in the eye lens of the microscope. The enzymes used for investigation were papain, trypsin and collagenase. The surfaces of the tooth were treated with fresh enzyme solutions every day and then with mixed acid gels. This was done alternately every day in a period of ten days. The results showed that lesions produced by formic acid gel were deeper than those produced by other acids or mixed acid gels. No effect was observed on the depth of the lesion by enzymatic treatments.