Fluoride and mineral content in hyper-remineralized coronal bovine dentine in vitro after an acid challenge

In this paper the acid resistance of hyper-remineralized dentine was quantified by means of fluoride and mineral measurements. Hyper-remineralization was achieved by demineralization of dentine in an acidic gel system (pH 5) for 3 weeks, followed by remineralization in a solution containing 1.5 mM Ca, 0.9 mM phosphate and 10 ppm F at pH 7 and 37 degrees C for 8 days. The samples were subsequently again demineralized in the gel system mentioned for 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Analysis for fluoride was done by means of the microdrill biopsy technique and to obtain information on the fluoride distribution by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS); mineral was assessed by microradiography. The results showed that in hyper-remineralized dentine the original fluoride content was approximately 30,000 ppm F. This value was still in the same order after the acid challenge of 3 weeks at pH 5. These values were substantially higher than the baseline values in sound or in demineralized dentine being about 900 ppm F. The main microradiographic result was that there was no significant mineral change in the hyper-remineralized dentine due to the acid challenges. There was, however, a tendency for mineral redistribution deeper into the dentine lesion leading to lamination phenomena. The SIMS experiments on some of the samples showed a fluoride distribution in agreement with the microdrill fluoride data. Furthermore a fluoride redistribution took place in deeper parts of the lesion due to the acid challenges. The combined fluoride concentration and microradiographical data indicate that fluoride-enriched and highly mineralized hyper-remineralized dentine is more acid resistant than sound or demineralized dentine.