Creation of artifjcjal carjous dentin using lactic acid and collagenase

Abstract

Because it is difficult to predictably create caries in human teeth, I developed artificial carious dentin (ACD) that has physical properties similar to those of the collagen fibers of natural carjous dentin (CD). It was experjmentajjy developed by treating intact human dentin with 0.1M lactic acid for two hours followed by treatment with typeI collagenase for another two hours. ACD was compared with CD by SEM observation and measurement of the Knoop hardness (KH). SEM observation revealed that the collagen fibers of ACD were narrowed and band fibrils had disappeared, much like CD. KH was comparable for the two. The similarity of ACD and CD suggests that the treatment of natural dentin with 0.1M lactic acid and typeI collagenase produces a useful ACD.