A physical model describing the interrelationships of demineralization, remineralization, plaque thickness, glucose levels, and plaque enzymatic activity was presented. Selection of constants and variations of the parameters were kept in the range of possible in vivo situations. The results of calculations were discussed and correlated with the results of in vivo studies.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Higuchi, W.I. ; Gray, J.A.; Hefferren , J.J.; and Patel, P.R.: Mechanisms of Enamel Dissolution in Acid Buffers, J Dent Res44:330-41, 1965.
2.
Patel, P.R.: Studies on Acid Demineralization Kinetics of Enamel, PhD thesis, University of Michigan, 1965.
3.
Mir, N.A. : The Mechanism of Action of Solution Fluoride upon the Demineralization Rate of Enamel, PhD thesis, University of Michigan, 1967.
4.
Nelson, K.G. : Studies on the Rate of Formation of Calcium Fluoride on Hydroxyapatite in Buffered Fluoride Solutions, PhD thesis, University of Michigan, 1968.
5.
Higuchi, W.I. ; Mir, N.A.; Patel , P.R.; Becker, J.W.; and Hefferren , J.J.: Quantitation of Enamel Demineralization Mechanisms : III. A Critical Examination of the Hydroxyapatite Model, J Dent Res48 :396-409, 1969.
6.
Bibby, B.G.; Gustafson, G.; and Davies, G.N.: A Critique of Three Theories of Caries Attack, Int Dent J8:685-695, 1958.
7.
Jenkins, G.N.: The Physiology of the Mouth, 3rd ed, Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 1966, pp 391-400.
8.
Koulourides, T., and Higuchi, W.I.: Physico-Chemical Model for Tooth Demineralization Action of Dental Plaque , J Dent Res45:1840, 1966.
9.
Young, F.D.; Higuchi, W.I.; and Koulourides, T.: Physico-Chemical Model for the Dental Plaque, J Dent Res46:1549, 1967.
10.
Muntz, J.A.: Production of Acids from Glucose by Dental Plaque Material, J Biol Chem148:225-236, 1943.
11.
Stralfors, A.: Investigation into the Bacterial Chemistry of Dental Plaques, Odont T58:151-341, 1950.
12.
Laidler, K.J.: The Chemical Kinetics of Enzyme Action, Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1958, chap 3.
13.
Olander, D.R. : Simultaneous Mass Transfer and Equilibrium Chemical Reactions, A I Ch E J6:233-239, 1960.
14.
Jost, W.: Diffusion in Solids, Liquids, Gases, New York: Academic Press Inc., Publishers, 1960, p 44.
15.
Higuchi, W.I. ; Parrott, E.L.; Wurster , D.E.; and Higuchi, T.: Investigation of Drug Release from Solids: II. Theoretical and Experimental Study of Influences of Bases and Buffers on Rates of Dissolution of Acidic Solids, J Amer Pharm Ass47: 376-383, 1958.
Brown, W.E. : Behavior of Slightly Soluble Calcium Phosphates as Revealed by Phase-Equilibrium Calculations, Soil Sci90:51-57, 1960.
18.
Robinson, R.A., and Stokes, R.H.: Electrolyte Solutions, London: Academic Press, Inc., 1959, p 482.
19.
McCann, H.G., and Brudevold, F.: "The Mechanism of the Caries-Inhibiting Effects of Fluoride," in KRBSHOVER, S.J., and McCLURE, F.J., Environmental Variables, Washington, DC: American Association for the Advancement of Science , 1966.
20.
Koulourides, T.: Dynamics of Tooth Surface-Oral Fluid Equilibrium , Advances Oral Biol2:149-171, 1966.
21.
Koulourides, T.; Lastra, J.; Higuchi , W.I.; and Young , F.D.: Experimental Cariogenicity in the Human Mouth: Bacterial Plaque Thickness, J Dent Res47: 1254, 1968.
22.
Tanzer, J.M. ; Krichevsky, M.I.; and Keyes, P.H.: The Coupling of Phosphate Accumulation to Acid Production by Non-growing Streptococci, J Gen Microbiol55: 351-360, 1969.
23.
Singer, D.L. , and Kleinberg, I.: NH3 Formation in Plaque In Situ, abstracted, IADR Program and Abstracts of Papers, No. 637, 1969.
