Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare qualitatively by polarized light microscopy the histopathological appearance of enamel caries lesions created artificially in deciduous teeth using different models. Methods: Sixty deciduous human molars were selected and divided into 3 groups. The control group G1 was comprised of teeth with natural white spot lesions, stored in deionized water (n=20). In order to induce artificial caries lesions, 20 sound teeth were immersed into an acidified gel (pH 4.5) for 14 days at room temperature, representing a static model (group G2). In group G3 (n=20) the sound teeth were submitted to a dynamic model based on demineralization and remineralization pH cycling. Each test specimen of G3 was immersed in a demineralizing solution for 3 hours, washed and transfered to a remineralizing solution for 21 hours. This pH cycling model was repeated for 10 days. After the treatments were completed, longitudinal ground sections were taken from all groups and examined while immersed in water or quinoline using polarized light microscopy techniques. Results: All the specimens of the experimental groups G2 (acidified gel) and G3 (pH cycling) exhibited caries lesions. When immersed in water, areas of positive birefringence were observed in the sub-surface enamel (body of the lesion) with negative birefringence surface zone; when immersed in quinoline, the dark zone and the translucent zone were observed in specimens, however, these findings were not similar to histopathological characteristics at the natural lesions (control group). Conclusion: It was concluded that both models for producing artificial caries lesions in deciduous enamel teeth were effective.

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