• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.461-470
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• 2013

In order to examine the anticariogenic effect after fluoride varnish was applied to sound enamel and artificial caries enamel, anterior teeth of healthy cattle were used and divided into four groups such as group 1 (sound enamel), group 2 (application of fluoride varnish to sound enamel), group 3 (artificial caries enamel) and group 4 (application of fluoride varnish to artificial caries enamel). Remineralization on the surface of enamel and changes of crystalline structure after demineralization were observed by using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Quantitative analysis of Ca and P was measured by using the energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometer (EDS). The following conclusions were obtained: 1)Surface pattern of enamel was the roughest in group 3 due to the defects caused by porosity and microcracks. Group 4, group 1 and group 2 were followed in order; 2) It was found that pattern of crystalline structures in a group of application of fluoride varnish and a group of no application showed bigger change in artificial caries enamel than that in sound enamel. In other words, groups 4 and 1 showed a similar pattern; 3) The contents of Ca and P were higher in groups of application of fluoride varnish (group 2 and group 4) than in groups of no application of fluoride varnish (group 1 and group 3). Taken results of this study together, in the case of application of fluoride varnish, crystalline structure was changed by remineralization even in the sound enamel. In particular, porous structures showed a smooth and uniform pattern due to the recalcification in the artificial caries enamel. In addition, according to results of EDS analysis, the contents of Ca and P were increased and it had great anticariogenic effects which inhibit decalcification of sound enamel and artificial caries enamel.