An X-ray microtomographic study of natural white-spot enamel lesions

White-spot enamel lesions are an early presentation of dental caries and are ideally managed by non-invasive procedures. The aim of this study was to characterize white-spot enamel lesions by x-ray microtomography. In particular, mineral content across the lesion from the surface to the base of the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dental research Vol. 91; no. 2; p. 185
Main Authors: Cochrane, N J, Anderson, P, Davis, G R, Adams, G G, Stacey, M A, Reynolds, E C
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.02.2012
Subjects:
Color
Dental Caries - pathology
Dental Enamel - chemistry
Dental Enamel - ultrastructure
Dentin - ultrastructure
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods
Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods
Minerals - analysis
Molar - chemistry
Molar - ultrastructure
Photography, Dental
Porosity
Tooth Remineralization
X-Ray Microtomography - methods
ISSN:1544-0591, 1544-0591
Online Access:Get more information
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:White-spot enamel lesions are an early presentation of dental caries and are ideally managed by non-invasive procedures. The aim of this study was to characterize white-spot enamel lesions by x-ray microtomography. In particular, mineral content across the lesion from the surface to the base of the lesion was measured and surface layers defined. Molars with long buccal white-spot enamel lesions were collected, photographed, and each sectioned to produce 3 500-µm-thick sections. The sections were mounted and imaged by quantitative x-ray microtomography at a 15-µm voxel size. We analyzed line profiles through the middle of each 3D image to determine mineral content and depth. The surface layer thickness of the lesions ranged from 35 to 130 µm, with the maximum mineral content in this layer being 74% to 100% of that of sound enamel. The average mineral content across the lesions ranged from 1.73 to 2.48 g/cm(3). No significant differences could be found between lesions clinically categorized as active and those categorized as inactive. However, for depth-matched active and inactive lesions, the active lesions exhibited a more porous surface layer than the inactive lesions. White-spot enamel lesions are highly variable, with surface layers of considerable thickness.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:1544-0591
1544-0591
DOI:10.1177/0022034511429570