An approach to normalizing micro-CT depth profiles of mineral density for monitoring enamel remineralization progress.

To indicate the possibility of a new approach to creating mineral density profiles, and to examine longitudinal changes in 'the rate of remineralization (RA)' and 'the mineral density (DAs) at 4 different depths' (surface zone: SZ, lesion body: LB, middle zone: MZ, deep zone near to sound area: DZ) in enamel subsurface lesions, eight demineralized bovine enamel-dentin blocks were remineralized for 1 to 4 week and investigated using Micro-focus X-ray CT (micro-CT). After CT scanning, mineral density profiles were created.Mineral densities at each depth after demineralization were SZ is approximately equal to LBMZ>DZ. This study indicated a new approach to create a mineral density profile and suggested the greater the value of the mineral density before the remineralization, the smaller the mineral density increments.