The effects of fluoride and mineralising treatments on plaque microcosm Ca, P and F, pH responses and cariogenicity.

Objective: To investigate the effects of fluoride (F), calcium-phosphate-monofluorophosphate-urea (CPMU) mineralising solution, and casein on plaque pH and calcium (Ca), phosphate (P) and F content, and the ability of plaque to induce carious lesions in enamel.

Methods: Plaque microcosms were cultured in cariogenic growth conditions on enamel specimens for 28d in a "multiplaque artificial mouth". The plaques were supplied 5 times daily with 10% sucrose (1.

A fluorescence assay to determine the viable biomass of microcosm dental plaque biofilms.

Dental plaque bacteria form complex and robust cell aggregates which cannot be counted accurately using epifluorescence microscopy. This causes a significant problem for quantifying their viability. The aim of the investigation was to develop a fluorescence assay to quantify the viable biomass of dental plaque biofilms.

Characterising the micro-mechanical behaviour of the carious dentine of primary teeth using nano-indentation.

A better appreciation of the properties of carious dentine would be of clinical advantage in carious assessment and management. The aim of this study is to understand the deterioration of the mechanical properties of carious dentine as a result of bacterial demineralising process as well as change in dentine structures observed under scanning electronic microscope. Eight primary molar teeth with untreated carious dentine were axially sectioned and fine polished for nano-indentation.

Influence of hydration and mechanical characterization of carious primary dentine using an ultra-micro indentation system (UMIS).

The conditions under which mechanical properties of dentine are tested influence the values recorded. The aims of this study were to examine the effect of hydration on the mechanical properties of primary carious dentine and to provide information on changes in hardness and modulus of elasticity change caused by the demineralizing caries process in dentine. Three primary molar teeth with untreated carious dentine were prepared for nano-indentation tests under both wet and dry conditions.

Correlating the mechanical properties to the mineral content of carious dentine--a comparative study using an ultra-micro indentation system (UMIS) and SEM-BSE signals.

The deterioration of the mechanical properties of carious dentine was assumed to be associated with the decrease in mineral content due to the carious process. This study aimed to compare the mechanical properties of carious dentine studied by an ultra-micro-indentation-system (UMIS) and the mineral content determined using backscattered scanning electron (BSE) imaging. Eight axial sectioned and fine polished primary molar teeth with untreated carious dentine were measured for hardness and elastic modulus using the UMIS.

Quantitative analysis of the mineral content of sound and carious primary dentine using BSE imaging.

Backscattered electron-scanning electron microscope (BSE-SEM) imaging has been recommended as a reliable tool to quantify the mineralisation state of calcified tissues and is commonly used in bone studies. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of BSE imaging to quantitatively analyse the mineral content of sound and carious dentine. Eight primary molars with untreated carious dentine were embedded in resin, axially sectioned and fine polished for this study.

Micro-mechanical characterisation of the properties of primary tooth dentine.

Objectives: Understanding the mechanical properties of dentine is of importance as adhesive restorative materials mainly achieve their bonding to the tooth structure through dentine. The current study measures the hardness and modulus of elasticity of primary molar dentine using an Ultra-Micro-Indentation System (UMIS), which allows the dentine to remain hydrated and thus is assumed to be closer to the in vivo conditions.

Methods: Eight sound primary molar teeth were axially sectioned, embedded in resin and fine polished.