A Study of the Phosphate Solubility of the Human Enamel Surface

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Abstract
A quantitative method is presented for measuring the phosphate solubility of the intact enamel surface. Standard surface areas were obtained by melting an impervious wax around closely adapted tin foil disks, 4 mm. in diam. The disks were removed and the surface areas were exposed to acetate buffer pH 4 for periods of 10 mins. The phosphate solubility was measured by determining the amt. of phosphate dissolved in the buffer. Repeated tests on the same surface area showed that the phosphate solubility increased with the depth of penetration. Deciduous teeth had a higher surface solubility than permanent teeth. There was a decrease in the surface solubility after eruption. Ground surfaces were about twice as soluble as intact surfaces. Repeated tests on the same ground surfaces showed that they differ from intact surfaces by having a decreasing solubility rate with increasing depth of penetration.

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