In vivo recalcification of dentin demineralized by citric acid

Abstract— Acid-treatment of root surfaces as an adjunct to pcriodontal reconstructive may have deleterioujs effects on that part of the root which remains in a supragingival location after healing. The peresent experiment aimed to examine whether recalcification of such root surfaces may occur. Cylindrical blocks of root dentin were prepared from 10 premolar, treated with citric acid and mounted in acrylic specimen holders which worn in the mouth continuoulsy for 14 d by two test subjects. The specimens were then sectioned and microradiographs produced. The citric acid had produced a completely demineralized surface zone in the root dentin and the subject hard tissue showed a zone of partially reduced mineral content. Following exposure to the oral cavity, the demineralized surface layer appeared unchanged in width. The subjacent zone, however, had been reduced in width in all instances when compared with control specimens from the same teeth.