Dissolution of enamel

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Abstract
Each of six premolars were exposed to 8 ml of a buffer, pH 5.0. The ionic activity products for FA, HA, CaHPO4, CaF2 and Ca4H(PO4)3 were determined. It was found that the liquid phase initially was unsaturated with respect to all solid phases and that FA and HA were dissolving from the enamel. Four hours after initiation of the experiments the liquid phase was supersaturated with respect to FA while still unsaturated with respect to HA, which resulted in a precipitation of FA in the enamel and a dissolution of HA from the enamel. Teeth which had been exposed to a buffer unsaturated with respect to both FA and HA exhibited the signs of a natural erosion, while teeth exposed to a buffer supersaturated with respect to FA and unsaturated with respect to HA showed the characteristics of a caries lesion. It was found by analyzing various acidic beverages that these were unsaturated with respect to both FA and HA. By calculation it was found that saliva was unsaturated with respect to HA and supersaturated with respect to FA at a pH of between 5.5 and 4.5. It was concluded that the erosive lesion can be described as the result of a demineralization caused by a liquid phase unsaturated with respect to both HA and FA and the carious injury by a liquid phase unsaturated with respect to HA and supersaturated with respect to FA.

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