IN VIVO ASSESSMENT OF THE SOLUBILITY OF TOOTH ENAMEL DURING AN FBM PATROL
Abstract
The solubility of dental enamel is a prime factor in the dental decay process. Conditions which may influence the enamel solubility and the degree of normal variation of this factor are therefore of interest to the Navy Dental Corps. Enamel solubility was determined in a group of volunteers from the crew of a Polaris submarine. These individuals are exposed continuously for about 70 days in a sealed environment, one known characteristic of which is a higher- than-normal atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide. The subjects were selected on the basis of the time elapsed since their last topical fluoride treatment. Solubility was determined on the basis of the amount of phosphorus leached from the enamel by a weak acid under standard conditions. Samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and end of the patrol. No important mean differences were noted in the enamel solubility between the three test periods. Evidently the FBM environment had little or no effect on enamel solubility. Wide individual variations were noted and are unexplained.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 24, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0676896
Entities
People
- Dale T. Zorn
- William R. Shiller
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory