A combination of scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to quantitatively study the acid-induced dissolution of dental enamel. A micron-scale liquid meniscus formed at the end of a dual barrelled pipette, which constitutes the SECCM probe, is brought into contact with the enamel surface for a defined period. Dissolution occurs at the interface...

OBJECTIVE To verify the relationship between lead concentration in the enamel of deciduous teeth and the presence of enamel defects and, consequently, with dental caries among preschool children. METHODS The sample consisted of 329 preschool children in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo: 132 attending municipal kindergartens close to industrial plants and 197 attending kindergartens in non-indus...

ntroduction: The use of a calcium solution previously to brushing could favor the remineralization and the fluoride (F) uptake in dental enamel. Objective: This study evaluated the F in dental enamel after using a F dentifrice, preceded or not by a rinse with a CaCl2 solution. Methods: Ten subjects (18-30 years) participated in a double-blind, cross-over protocol. Enamel biopsy and 3 min saliva...

Tooth 16 showed a fractured mesial marginal ridge that was undermined by caries (Figure 1). Following the placement of a rubber dam, the tooth was prepared and a medium-sized Class-II cavity resulted (Figure 2). In order to achieve optimum adhesion to enamel, it is essential to prepare the enamel margins in such a way that the enamel prisms are obliquely cut. This entails bevelling of the verti...

Enamel white spot lesions are frequent and can impact patients' quality of life. The most conservative treatment in such cases is microabrasion, a technique that presents some drawbacks. The proposed strategy is not based on the elimination of dysplastic enamel, but on masking the lesion by infiltrating the porous subsurface enamel with a hydrophobic resin that has a refraction index closer to ...

Examination of sealants recovered at their moment of failure offers clues to factors which played a role in failure. The fitting surfaces of 10 failed sealants recovered immech’ately after placement, and 14 winch had failed after several months in the mouth were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Large areas of the fitting surfaces were smooth, with only localized regions showing evidenc...

The bond strength between enamel and resin depends on achieving an etching pattern on the enamel surface which allows the resin to penetrate into the enamel and form tags. Silverstone et al. (1975) have described three basic etching patterns of human dental enamel using phosphoric acid solution. Type I etching pattern is related to the removal of the prism core material with the prism peripheri...

Conservative clinical solutions, predictable esthetic, and immediate outcomes are important concepts of restorative dentistry. The aim of this case study was to recognize the selective enamel removal as an interesting conservative alternative to achieve optimal esthetic results and discuss the clinical protocol. This clinical report described an alternative esthetic and conservative treatment t...