Enamel caries

Form

The Enamel lesion on the surface of a tooth is conical and its tip points to the dentin¹.

From the outside to inside by L. M. Silverstone¹’²’³

1. Pseudo-intact surface

The surface zone with a pore volume of 1% and mineral loss of 1-10%. Pores represent diffusion pathways for bacterial organic acids, hence pseudo intact surface.

• H+ (acid) attack crystals (Mg, bicarbonates CO32- ) - release of ions ( Ca, P, F, OH...) "Diffusion to the surface in plaque, however, low diffusion gradient - reprecipation of Ca, P - pseudo-intact surface.
• Therapy for pseudo-intact surface (See ICON).

2. Lasion body

The body of the lesion is the most porous histological zone of the lesion (the pore volume is 5% at the edge and 25% in the middle). It represents the most common zone and with the highest degree of demineralization of the enamel lesion.

3. Dark Zone

However, the pore volume is approx. 2-4%. Because of the remineralization processes on the apatite crystals, the pores are therefore smaller than in the translucent zone.

4. Translucent zone

Is the deepest area of the lesion with a pore volume of 1%, (healthy tooth surface 0.1%).

References

1. Silverstone LM, Hicks MJ, Featherstone MJ: Dynamic factors affecting lesion initiation and progressionin human dental enamel. Part I The dynamic nature of enamel caries. Quintessence International, 1998; Vol. 19, No. 10: 92-102.
2. Silverstone LM, Johnson NW, Hardie JM,
   OHDMBSC - Vol. IV - No. 2 - June, 2005 11Williams RAD: Dental Caries – Aetiology, Pathologyand Prevention. The MacMillan Press Ltd., 1981.
3. Thylstrup A, Bruun C, Holmen L: In vivo Caries-Models – Mechanisms for caries Initiation and Arrestment. Advances in Dental Research, 1994; vol.8, no. 2: 144-157.