Table 1.
Composition of incubation media.
Figure 1.
Distribution of the locations of the spot measurements.
Three rows (surface, demineralized zone and sound dentin) of 10 points each were selected for quantitative element analysis.
Figure 2.
Experimental root caries lesions after different incubation experiments.
An experimental root caries lesion after incubation with NaCl solution (a–c). a) A PLM micrograph reveals a homogenous lesion. b) The EDS mapping of Ca reveals a continuous demineralization toward the lesion surface. c) A line scan reveals the continuous demineralization. An experimental root caries lesion after incubation with whole milk (d–f). d) A PLM micrograph reveals a homogenous lesion. e) The EDS mapping of Ca reveals a continuous demineralization toward the lesion surface. f) A line scan reveals the continuous demineralization. An experimental root caries lesion after incubation with artificial saliva (g–i). g) A PLM micrograph reveals a homogenous lesion. h) The EDS mapping of Ca reveals a small remineralized zone on top of the lesion. i) A line scan of the lesion confirms the small remineralized zone. An experimental root caries lesion after incubation with milk containing 2.5 ppm fluoride (j–l). j) The PLM micrograph reveals a carious lesion divided into two layers: the demineralized zone and a clearly demarcated superficial remineralized zone. k) The EDS mapping of Ca reveals increased Ca content in the superficial remineralized zone. l) A line scan demonstrates the superficial remineralized zone above the demineralized lesion. An experimental root caries lesion after incubation with milk containing 10 ppm fluoride (m–o). m) The PLM micrograph reveals a carious lesion divided into two layers: the demineralized zone and a relatively thick superficial remineralized zone. n) The EDS mapping of Ca reveals a remineralized zone with increased Ca content. o) A line scan of the lesion confirms the increased Ca content in the superficial remineralized zone. An experimental root caries lesion after incubation with artificial saliva containing 10 ppm fluoride (p–r). p) The PLM micrograph demonstrates three distinct lesion zones: the demineralized zone, the superficial remineralized zone and an amorphous layer on top of the lesion. q) The EDS mapping of the Ca2+ content reveals that the demineralized lesion is divided into two zones by a remineralized zone. On top of the lesion is an amorphous, highly mineralized layer. r) A line scan confirms the scanning results by revealing a remineralized zone in the middle of the demineralized lesion and a highly mineralized zone with increased F− content on top of the lesion.
Figure 3.
Boxplot graph of the depths of the lesions.
The depth of the lesion decreases with increased concentration of F in the incubation medium. The depth is the smallest after incubation with artificial saliva containing 10(p<0.05) between the incubation media are marked with an asterisk, and other media are indicated with arrows.
Table 2.
Results of the quantitative point measurements in the superficial remineralized zone in weight %.
Figure 4.
Boxplot graph of the Ca content in the superficial remineralized zone of the lesion.
The Ca2+ content increases with increased Ca concentration in the incubation medium. Significant differences (p<0.05) between the incubation media are marked with an asterisk, and other media are indicated with arrows.
Figure 5.
Boxplot graph of the F content in the superficial remineralized zone of the lesion.
The F content increases with increased F concentration in the incubation medium. Significant differences (p<0.05) between the incubation media are marked with an asterisk, and other media are indicated with arrows.