RESUMEN
The aims of this study were to test the laser fluorescence method for quantification of remineralisation in situ of enamel with incipient lesions and to evaluate the enhancement of remineralisation by fluoride (F) supplements when a F dentifrice was used on a regular basis by healthy young subjects. Enamel samples were cut from extracted premolar teeth with the natural surface kept intact, and subjected to a pH-cycling system to produce subsurface demineralisation in vitro. The enamel blocks were then inserted into composite holders bonded to the buccal surfaces of both upper first molars of 12 panelists. Each panelist participated in 3 separate experiments in a randomised order; each lasted for 5 weeks with washout intervals of 2 weeks between experiments; experiment 1: F dentifrice (0.145% F as NaF) only; experiment 2: F dentrifice + F lozenges (0.25 mg F x 6/day); experiment 3: F dentifrice + F chewing-gum (0.25 mg F x 6/day). Fluorescence radiance was measured before, during, and after in vitro demineralisation, and once a week during the in situ experimental periods. The enamel samples were then sectioned and analysed with transverse microradiography (TMR). Anova and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for the statistical analysis. At the end of the 5-week in situ periods, fluorescence radiance had been regained to a level of 80-100% of the value before in vitro demineralisation, indicating remineralisation of the enamel samples. There were no differences in the fluorescence radiance gain between the 3 different F exposures. However, there was a statistically significant time trend (p < 0.001), and a highly significant linear dependence (p < 0.001) between the final measurements obtained with the laser fluorescence method (LAF) and the data obtained from TMR, r = 0.76. It was concluded that: (1) with the sensitive LAF method it was possible to register the small changes in the enamel week by week during in situ remineralisation: (2) when F dentrifice was used regularly, F supplements such as F lozenges or F chewing-gum did not significantly enhance the in situ remineralisation of incipient enamel lesions in healthy, young adults with normal salivary flow.