The Influence of High- and Low-molecular-weight Inhibitors on Dissolution Kinetics of Hydroxyapatite and Human Enamel in Lactate Buffers: A Constant Composition Study

Abstract

The kinetics of dissolution of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and human enamel (HE) powders in lactate buffers was investigated by means of a Constant Composition technique. The rates were interpreted in terms of a surface-controlled dissolution mechanism. It was shown that the overall dissolution of both HAP and HE crystallites in lactate buffers resulted from an interplay of the calcium chelating action of lactate ion, its interaction with surface calcium sites, and the retardation effects of both ionized (L-) and un-ionized (HL) lactic acid due to adsorption at phosphate surface sites. The presence of lactate in demineralizing solutions also influenced the "acquired crystallite resistance" for dissolution, and the rates decreased as the reaction proceeded. The influence of surface protective agents [methanehydroxydiphosphonate (MHDP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA)] on HAP and HE dissolution rates was also extensively studied in partially saturated lactate buffer (0.05 mol L-1). Although the overall kinetic effects of both additives appeared to be similar, there were considerable mechanistic differences. MHDP might interact with lactate by competition for surface calcium sites. In contrast, PAA appeared to act independently of lactate under the experimental condition used. This would tend to support the recommendation of White (1987), that PAA was more suitable as a surface protective agent for artificial caries lesion preparation.