Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Rehardening of Softened Enamel Surfaces of Human Teeth by Solutions of Calcium Phosphates

Abstract

REHARDENING of softened human enamel has been attempted in the past1–3, but has not been clearly demonstrated since the earlier workers were not able to show that the softened material was not lost. Knoop hardness measurements provide a quantitative and sensitive measure of surface changes, and any loss of surface can be shown by alterations of the size and shape of the previously placed indentations. This communication describes conditions which have been developed for rehardening tooth surfaces, softened by a prior treatment with a buffer.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Head, J., “Modern Dentistry”, second ed., 43 (W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1920).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bunting, R. W., and Rickert, V. G., J. Amer. Dent. Assoc., 252 (1915); 519 (1918).

  3. Ruthrauff, W. M., “Landmarks in Dental Research Leading to the Establishment of the Calcification Theory of Immunity of Dental Caries” (W. M. Ruthrauff Co., Philadelphia, Pa., 1923). Pamphlet Volume 3315, Army Med. Libr., Washington, No. 378421.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Caldwell, R. C., Muntz, M. L., Gilmore, R. W., and Pigman, W., J. Dent. Res., 36, 732 (1957).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Newbrun, E., Timberlake, P., and Pigman, W., J. Dent. Res., 38, 293 (1959).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Koulourides, T., and Pigman, W., J. Dent. Res., 39, 198 (1960).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Sobel, A. E., Samachson, J., and Nobel, S., Arch. Biochem. and Biophys., 77, 89 (1958).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Caldwell, R. C., Gilmore, R. W., Timberlake, P., Pigman, J., and Pigman, W., J. Dent. Res., 37, 301 (1958).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

KOULOURIDES, T., CUETO, H. & PIGMAN, W. Rehardening of Softened Enamel Surfaces of Human Teeth by Solutions of Calcium Phosphates. Nature 189, 226–227 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/189226a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/189226a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing