Diffusion of Ions Between Two Solutions Saturated With Respect to Hydroxyapatite: A Possible Mechanism for Subsurface Demineralization of Teeth

Diffusion-controlled dissolution and precipitation reactions occur in many biological systems and some non-stirred in vitro systems. Previous studies have shown that differences in the diffusion rates of the ions involved in a dissolution/precipitation reaction can produce significant effects on the rate and course of the reaction. We report here results of a study that show inter-diffusion of ions between two solutions, both saturated with respect to hydroxyapatite but with dissimilar compositions, resulted in one solution becoming undersaturated and the other supersaturated. A model is proposed that may explain the formation of a mineral-dense layer in the caries process.