Surface structural alterations of deciduous tooth enamel with or without root resorption

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine microsractually the early caries lesion process of the deciduous enamel. Deciduous enamel specimens(3 mm in diameter)were prepared from two types of extracted human deciduous teeth using a hollow core drill. One was complete root without root resorption. Another was completely with root resorption. The surfaces of two types of deciduous enamels were highly polished using the standard methods. These sample surfaces were observed by using AFM and then cut perpendicularly using a cutting saw to obserb by SEM. The AFM and SEM images resulted in as follows; 1)The surface enamel crystals of the sound deciduous canine was different with different root resorption. This difference of crystal size was resulted in enamel crystal growth; 2)Such a crystal growth influenced the formation of subsurface lesion at the deciduous enamel. ; 3)Early caries lesions occurring at the deciduous canine without root resorption might be extended subsurface lesion formation with the enamel crystal dissolution of lateral and upper side at the cave.