Abstract
Background. Remineralization potential of dentifrices with novel compositions that can restore minerals back into incipient carious lesions has not been extensively studied so far.
Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a dentifrice based on novel fluoride incorporated bioactive glass in remineralizing artificial carious lesions in human enamel, and compare it with a standard fluoride-containing dentifrice.
Material and methods. Twenty-four human extracted teeth were sectioned at the cementoenamel junction to obtain enamel blocks. These blocks (n = 24) were randomly divided into 3 groups, with each group containing 8 specimens: group 1 (negative control group; distilled water), group 2 (positive control group; fluoride toothpaste) and group 3 (test group; BioMin (TM) F toothpaste). Artificial carious lesions were produced in the enamel surfaces by exposing them to a demineralization solution (6% citric acid, pH 2.2) for 96 h. After demineralization, the specimens were brushed with manual toothbrushes in a toothbrush simulation machine (each sample received 800 strokes). For brushing the specimens from group 1, 20 mL of distilled water was used, for group 2 - 20 mL of slurry of toothpaste mixed with artificial saliva, and for group 3 - 20 mL of slurry of toothpaste (BioMin F) mixed with artificial saliva. The micro-hardness data (VHN - Vickers hardness number) was collected at baseline (sound enamel), post-demineralization and post-remineralization.
Results. The biggest difference between the post-remineralization and post-demineralization values was observed in group 3 (mean VHN = 118.73), followed by group 2 (mean VHN = 60.54) and group 1 (mean VHN = 47.44). All the groups revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) when the post-demineralization and post-remineralization values were compared to baseline values within each group.
Conclusion. The BioMin F group outperformed the other 2 groups in terms of remineralizing the demineralized enamel structure.