Groups of 10 enamel slabs, with caries-like lesions and known surface hardness (SH), were subjected to one of the following treatment groups Stimulated humansaliva (SHS), negative control; SHS containing 1.0 µg F/mL (NaF), positive control; and SHS containing 10, 50 or 100 µM PMSF. The slabs were subjected to a pH-cycling regimen consisting of 22 h/day in each treatmentsolution and 2 h/day in a demineralizing solution. After 12 days, SH was again measured to calculate the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR), followed by enamelfluoride uptake determination. The time-related fluoride release from 100.0 µM PMSF by SHS action was also determined. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls test.
Results:
The release of fluoride from PMSF by SHS was rapid, reaching a maximum value after 10 min. Fluoride released from PMSF was more effective in enhancing %SHR and increasing fluoride uptake in enamel compared with SHS alone (p < 0.05); furthermore, it was equivalent to the positive control (p > 0.05).