The demineralizing effect of organic acids produced by a monobacterial plaque of Streptococcus mutans C 67–1 grown on flattened human enamel slabs was studied in an artificial mouth. The samples were subjected to microhardness measurements, microradiography and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that there was a significant degree of softening after the 1st week, which continued to a lesser extent in weeks 2 and 3. The same trend was also seen in the microradiograms. These data demonstrate that the ‘classical picture’ of lesion development showing a clear reduction of mineral in the sample surface after 1 week was followed by deposition of mineral in the surface after 3 weeks. The scanning electron microscopic observations illustrated that the enlarged interprismatic spaces formed the main demineralization pathways. They also showed a change in crystalline structure in the surface zone after 3 weeks of demineralization. The findings agree with previous in vivo studies, indicating that the artificial mouth model yields relevant results.

Keywords:
Demineralization, Enamel, Plaque, Streptococcus mutans
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© 1986 S. Karger AG, Basel
1986
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