Early caries changes are reversible and may heal up. Therefore, our studies first aimed a visualization and analysis of caries after the use of experimental strontium-fluoride toothpastes protecting hard dental tissues. The material consisted of healthy premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons and sectioned into slices. The artificial damage, resembling that of incipient caries, was induced in their enamel. The in situ model was developed by placing the samples on the buccal surfaces of the first molars in healthy subjects, and exposing for 3 or 6 months of the toothpaste activity. SEM topographic analysis of the enamel surface revealed smoothening caused probably by mineral compounds deposition. The quantitative X-ray EDS microanalysis was performed to examine the Ca and Sr content on the enamel surface and layers of 15, 30, 60 and 100 microns deep. The results showed that the toothpaste induces an increased deposition of Ca in sub-superficial layers of the damaged enamel, thus inducing the recovery of its injury. A long term use of the toothpaste significantly promotes remineralization of artificially damaged deeper layers of enamel. Pit and fissure sealing aims a good protection against caries. However, sealant retention depends on the sealant quality and procedures used for fissure preparation. In our in vitro studies, sections of teeth crowns were stained with HE and digitized with a light microscope. The area of enamel demineralization, the width and depth of occlusal fissures and the distance from the bottom of fissures to dentine-enamel junction were measured. Examples are given how the measured parameters differ between caries lesions in fissure sealant and unprotected human premolars. The increasing role of digital imaging need to be defined with the diagnostic problem in mind as the further outcome for the patient in order to plan an effective prophylaxis and treatment of early caries changes.

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