Notes on the dissolution of human dental enamel in dilute acid solutions at high solid/solution ratio

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the nature of the relationship between enamel apatite and lesion fluid during demineralization. Powdered enamel in samples of 1.0 g was suspended in 3 ml of 10, 30, 50, or 70 mmol/l HCl under gentle agitation for up to 24 h at 20 degrees C. After 20 min and 24 h, pH and the concentrations of calcium and phosphate were determined and the degree of saturation with respect to various calcium phosphates calculated. The experiments were replicated 15 times using the same enamel samples. Twenty minutes after the start of dissolution, both pH and concentrations of calcium and phosphate had increased, and the solution became supersaturated with respect to hydroxyapatite, and in some runs also with respect to brushite. During the subsequent 23 h and 40 min, pH continued to increase, despite the supersaturation with respect to apatite, whilst the concentrations of calcium and phosphate decreased due to formation of apatite and, occasionally, brushite mineral. The data indicated that release of carbonate from enamel and its conversion to H2CO3 caused the increase in pH and thus, played a major role in the dissolution-reprecipitation process.