Abstract: Objective To pathologically evaluate the production of artificial carious lesion in bovine and human enamel in vitro and to look for teeth from other species to provide quantities of standardized material for caries disease research. Methods The Lesions in bovine and human enamel were produced by 3- day exposure to a partially saturated acidic buffer solution. The histopathology of these enamel specimens were observed and compared by microscope, polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscope. Results All specimens in a partially saturated acidic buffer solution were observed as a white opaque spot and could morphologically form subsurface demineralization with a relatively intact surface layer ,which was the same as the early natural enamel caries, except that the lesions depth was deeper than those in human teeth. Subsurface lesions in bovine enamel and human enamel show an irregular and eroded surface with openings. The crystallites are short ,have club-like endings and irregular shape, but The crystallites in bovine enamel are less densely packed, more Larger in size than those in human enamel. Conclusion Lesions in bovine teeth were pathologically similar to those in human teeth, so bovine enamel is considered to be a suitable surrogate for human enamel in caries research.

Key words: Human enamel, Bovine enamel, Artificial carious lesion, Pathology