Dr. Shahzadi Tayyaba Hashmi

APPEARANCE OF ENAMEL CARIES 1. Macroscopic 2. Microscopic 1. Macroscopic 2. Microscopic

1) MACROSCOPIC APPEARANCE Early enamel lesions appear as white or demineralized areas of increases porosity ( white spot lesions) This increase in the porosity of the enamel represents a reduction in the mineral content If the plaque remains undisturbed, the lesion progresses and the size of pores increase as the mineral ions are lost As the lesion progresses, the surface begins to break down and the lesion starts to spread laterally As the lesion progresses into dentine, collapse of enamel occurs

MACROSCOPIC APPEARANCE On the buccal and lingual surfaces, the early enamel lesion starts just above the gingival margin

2) MICROSCOPIC APPEARANCE An initial lesion starts as a wedge shape with the point towards the dentine There appears to be an outer intact layer, micrometer thick, and a deeper body of lesion where the pore volume is increased Two other zones are visible on ground sections viewed under transmitted light The dark and translucent zone represents the gradual loss of minerals from the tissues The deeper translucent zone has slight loss of minerals whilst the outer and narrower dark zone represents an area of previous remineralization