Abstract
To indicate the possibility of a new approach to creating mineral density profiles, and to examine longitudinal changes in ‘the rate of remineralization (RA)' and ‘the mineral density (DAs) at 4 different depths' (surface zone: SZ, lesion body: LB, middle zone: MZ, deep zone near to sound area: DZ) in enamel subsurface lesions, eight demineralized bovine enamel-dentin blocks were remineralized for 1 to 4 week and investigated using Micro-focus X-ray CT (micro-CT). After CT scanning, mineral density profiles were created.Mineral densities at each depth after demineralization were SZ≅LB<MZ<DZ. Increase in RA was the greatest in the first week of remineralization and it decreased over time. Increments of the mineral density were greater in the order of SZ≅LB>MZ>DZ. This study indicated a new approach to create a mineral density profile and suggested the greater the value of the mineral density before the remineralization, the smaller the mineral density increments.
