No abstract

The acidogenic and cariogenic potential of plain and supplemented human and bovine milk was determined by pH tests and with intra-oral experiments. Human milk produced a lower pH than bovine milk and bovine milk with a 2% lactose supplement. Human milk caused greater softening of enamel than bovine milk in the intra-oral tests. This could be modified by supplementing with calcium and phosphorus to the levels present in bovine milk.

Digitizing conventional radiographs using current high-grade digital cameras or scanners does not produce images of diagnostic quality. Improved resolution of viewing monitors is necessary to fully harness the potential of digital technology.

The concept of intra-oral cariogenicity tests, using naturally accumulated plaque, was pioneered by Koulourides (Koulourides et al., 1974). Tests rely on changes in microhardness of dental enamel after exposure to substrates. We used this model, with significant modifications, to determine the possible caries-protective effect of fluoridated milk. Custom-made cast chrome intra-oral appliances were made to fit the lower arches of volunteers. Four removable, highly polished 3 x 4 mm gauze-covered bovine enamel blocks were slotted into the appliances. These were worn for 48 h so that plaque would build up. The enamel was color-coded with composite (Kerr Kolors, Kerr, Romulus, MI) to ensure error-free removal and immersion extra-orally in the coded test substrates.

In previous experiments, the sucrose substitute Lycasin has been shown to possess low acidogenic potential. Intra-oral cariogenicity tests were carried out in humans to explore the enamel softening effects of Lycasin, using sucrose and saline as controls. The results confirmed that Lycasin would be preferred to sucrose as a sweetener for confections and medicines, although some softening of enamel by Lycasin was evident when compared to the saline controls. The magnitude of this enamel change was small and of doubtful clinical significance.