Changes in the Mineral Composition of Dental Hard Tissue Under Demineralizing Conditions: In Vitro Study

Abstract

Background: In the structure of tooth enamel, a high proportion of mineral components plays a crucial role in the protective functions of these structures. Moreover, enamel becomes inevitable for cariogenic microorganisms in high mineralization conditions. Mitigation of factors compromising enamel microstructures significantly alleviates the risks of decay. One of demineralization's most significant adverse outcomes is its contribution to caries formation. However, demineralization is a reversible process - organisms possess immune capabilities to restore mineral balance in enamel, a process referred to as remineralization. Objectives: We aimed to scrutinize the mineral composition of tooth enamel using a scanning electron microscope. Methods: For this purpose, we selected the extracted teeth from 16 individuals without any discernible pathology. Each tooth was sectioned into two parts, resulting in 32 experimental samples. Samples were divided into two groups: control and study groups. The elemental composition of teeth in the control group was examined using JEOL's scanning electron microscope. While on the samples of the control group, we conducted a simulated process of caries using our modified in vitro method, known to induce enamel demineralization. After completing the experiments, we analyzed the distribution of microelements in the enamel using electron microscopy and compared the obtained data with the control group's results. Results: As a result, we found that (i) the concentration of target elements (Ca, P) in the enamel increased approximately twofold compared to dentin's layers; (ii) the concentration of F increased almost sixfold in the enamel compared to its concentration in dentin; (iii) in the experimental caries model, the concentration of Ca and P in enamel (both in enamel and dentin) significantly decreased, while the concentration of F dropped to zero. Conclusions: Objectively evaluating the results of conservative methods and comparing laboratory data and quantitative and qualitative changes in periodontal markers before and after treatment, it can be concluded that the most reliable modality is the integrated treatment of periodontitis.