Although fluoride levels become elevated in sound enamel following a topical fluoride treatment, the caries-preventive effect of fluoride is thought to be due primarily to the role of fluoride in remineralization of clinically undetectable enamel lesions and hypomineralized enamel. During lesion formation, redistribution of fluoride from the enamel surface to the subsurface demineralized enamel occurs. This results in a surface zone with a relatively low fluoride content. In order to maintain an intact surface zone over a carious lesion, it may be necessary to replenish the fluoride levels with an exogenous fluoride source. By acid-etching the lesion surface, a more reactive surface is made available for fluoride interaction. In addition, porosities and etching patterns may be created, allowing for bonding of a caries-resistant resin material to the lesion surface. The purpose of this study was to determine the integrity of the caries-like lesion surface following acid-etching and subsequent stannous fluoride treatment (SnF2).
