Methods: Caries-free permanent teeth (n=10) underwent debridement and a fluoride-free prophylaxis. Specimens were sectioned into quarters, and acid-resistant varnish was placed with 2 sound enamel windows exposed on each quarter. Each quarter was assigned to treatment group: 1) No treatment control; 2) AL exposure (13.5 J/cm2, 270 mW, 5mm beam, 10s); 3) dual treatment with fluoridated remineralizing paste (RPFl) for 120s [MI Plus Paste, GC Corp], followed by fluoridated tricalcium phosphate (TCPFl) for 120s (Clinpro 5000, 3M-ESPE); 4) AL followed by dual RPFl/TCPFl treatment. Treated quarters were rinsed in distilled/deionized water, and exposed to synthetic saliva (24h). In vitro caries were created using an acidified gel (pH 4.25, 42d). Longitudinal sections (3/tooth quarter, 60/group) were evaluated for mean lesion depths (water imbibition, polarized light, ANOVA, DMR).
Results: Mean lesion depths were 347±42µm for No Treatment Control; 242±28µm for AL alone; 176±22µm for RPFl/TCPFl alone; and 109±31µm for AL followed by RPFl/TCPFl. All treatment groups had mean lesion depths significantly less than No Treatment Control (P<.05). Both dual treatment groups (RPFl/TCPFl, and AL followed by RPFl/TCPFl) had significantly decreased mean depths compared with the AL alone treatment group. AL followed by RPFl/TCPFl group had a mean depth significantly less than RPFl/TCPFl without AL treatment group (P<.05).
Conclusions: Dual treatment with remineralizing paste followed by remineralizing dentifrice provided significant caries protection for enamel when compared with argon laser irradiation alone and no treatment control groups (P<.05). Argon laser irradiation followed by dual treatment with remineralizing paste and dentifrice containing bioavailable calcium/phosphate and fluoride significantly enhanced in vitro enamel caries resistance (P<.05).
Keywords: Caries, Cariology, Dentifrices, Fluoride and Remineralization
See more of: Cariology Research - Fluoride and Ca-based Products