The carbonate and fluoride in surfaces of remineralized enamel.

Analyses were made of samples of surface enamel collected before and after acid demineralization and after subsequent remineralization in solutions containing calcium and phosphate and various levels of bicarbonate and fluoride ions. Demineralization caused a preferential loss of carbonates. Remineralization was increased by both fluoride and bicarbonate ions. With no bicarbonate in the calcifying solution, 0.25 to 4.0 mM NaF increased mineral formation and thereby caused a relative reduction of its carbonate content. With 0.5 mM NaF (10 ppm F-) and 5, 15, and 25 mM HCO-3 in remineralizing solutions more carbonate was deposited than in the absence of NaF. Five and 15 mM HCO-3 increased, but 25 mM HCO-3 decreased, deposit of fluoride in enamel.