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Objectives: The importance of low concentrated fluoride (F) has been proved at de- and remineralization process of dental caries. Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence(QLF; Inspektor Research Systems, The Netherlands) method can quantify the mineral changes in incipient enamel lesions without destruction. This study investigated the influence of F existence during the remineralization process of incipient enamel lesions at various degree using QLF system. Methods: 45 human enamel specimens (4 mm in diameter) were mounted in acrylic and polished. Lesion formed on the surface of them by immersion for 12, 24 and 48 hours in demineralizing solution (lactic acid; 100 mM, CaCl2; 3 mM, KH2PO4; 10 mM, NaCl; 100mM, pH 4.5). Then these specimens were immersed for 15 days in remineralizing solution (CaCl2; 1.5mM, KH2PO4; 5mM, NaCl; 100mM, casein; 20ppm, NaNO3; 0.2%, pH 6.5) which contains 0, 0.1 and 1 ppm F (renewed every three days). Surface images of specimen were recorded before and after demineralization, and recorded on days 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 in remineralizing process using QLF system. Results: Remineralization were observed in 0 ppm F group at all demineralized specimens (recovery rates of 15 days after; 12 h group; 47%, 24 h group; 60%, 48 h group; 33% ). The recovery rate of 0.1 ppm F group was not different from that of 0 ppm F group, at all demineralized specimens (p > 0.05). The recovery rate of 1 ppm F group was higher than that of 0 and 0.1 ppm F group at 12 and 24 h demineralized specimens (p < 0.05) (12 h group; 89%, 24 h group; 78%, 48 h group; 52% ). Conclusion: These results showed that the 1ppm fluoride works as the accelerator to the remineralization at relatively low demineralized lesions. |