Major topics in quantitative microradiography of enamel and dentin: R parameter, mineral distribution visualization,...

Three aspects of quantitative transverse microradiography are described and discussed: (1) the average mineral loss parameter of enamel or dentin lesions (R) in vol%; (2) mineral distribution visualization of lesions by means of a computer-assisted videodensitometric (CAV) method; and (3) the microradiography of hyper-remineralized lesions. "R", defined as the average amount of mineral lost (or gained) in a lesion per unit lesion length, is a useful parameter in dental caries. The results show that, in vitro, R is about constant over the demineralization period for enamel and dentin. This was found even for quite different dissolution kinetics. R is strongly reduced by the presence of small amounts of fluoride in the demineralizing system. R of dentin lesions is smaller than for enamel lesions. We conclude that the mineral loss value (delta Z) and the lesion depth (ld) are in general dependent parameters during in vitro or in situ studies on enamel or dentin. During lesion formation, mineral loss from the lesion and acid penetration in the tissue are obviously linked. This is possible only if the mineral content in the lesion does not change very much after passage of the lesion front. The CAV method presented is illustrated for enamel lesions formed in vitro and in situ.