Acid-susceptibility of lesions in bovine enamel after remineralization in the presence of fluoride and/or carbonate.

After de- and subsequent remineralization at 0.03 and 1.0 ppm fluoride and either 0, 1, 10, 20 or 25 mM carbonate, artificial lesions in bovine enamel were demineralized again. The amount of secondary demineralization was determined after 15, 30 and 70 h of demineralization by means of quantitative microradiography. The results showed that fluoride incorporated during the remineralization period retards lesion formation during secondary demineralization. Carbonate incorporated during the remineralization period enhances secondary demineralization. An interaction between both ions was observed.