Lipid Effect on the Progress of Artificial Carious Lesions in Dental Enamel

Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the effect of enamel lipids on the rate of progress of artificial carious lesions in dental enamel. Lipids were extracted from cut halves of human tooth crowns. Artificial carious lesions were formed in both lipid-extracted and control halves in a lactate-diphosphonate system over 2, 1, 14 and 21 days at 37 °C. A twofold increase in lesion formation rate occurred in the lipid-extracted teeth compared to the normal teeth. The lipid component of enamel apparently acts as a diffusion barrier during the enamel caries process, and inhibits demineralization.