ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: One of the important factors of the demineralization and remineralization equilibrium of enamel is the pH of the surrounding solutions. Effort has been laid in the formulation of different fluoride compounds and the fluoride content in toothpastes but much less is known about the influence of the pH of the toothpastes on their effectiveness. It was therefore the aim of this study to investigate the influence of different pH levels on enamel remineralization in an in vitro experiment using polarization light microscopy and EDX quantitative element analysis. METHODS: A 5 x 5 mm window on the enamel surface of 40 caries free extracted human premolars was demineralized in a hydroxyethylcellulose solution at pH 4.8. The teeth were divided into 8 groups and the lower half of the window was covered with varnish serving as control. Each group was then immersed in toothpaste slurry containing amine fluoride (1400 ppm) at pH 4.1, 4.5, 5.1 and 6.9 or control toothpaste slurry without fluoride at pH 4.3, 4.7, 5.3 and 7.0. Serial sections were cut through the lesions and investigated with polarization light microscopy and quantitative EDX element analysis. RESULTS: The PLM results showed a decreased porous volume of the body of the lesion after incubation with fluoridated toothpaste at pH 4.53 and 5.16. No differences between the experimental window and the control window were found in the other groups. The quantitative element analysis showed no differences in the element content of any of the groups. CONCLUSION: From the results it can be concluded that slightly acidified fluoridated dentifrices may have a certain positive effect on enamel remineralization.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It was the aim of this study to investigate the effect of four different toothpastes with differing fluoride compounds on enamel remineralization. METHODS: A 3 x 3 mm window on the enamel surface of 90 human premolars was demineralized in a hydroxyethylcellulose solution at pH 4.8. The teeth were divided into 6 groups and the lower half of the window was covered with varnish serving as control. The teeth were immersed in a toothpaste slurry containing: placebo tooth paste (group 1); remineralization solution (group 2); Elmex Anticaries (group 3); Elmex Sensitive (group 4); Blend-a-med Complete (group 5) and Colgate GRF (group 6). Ten teeth of each group were used for the determination of the F- content in the superficial enamel layer and acid solubility of enamel expressed in soluble phosphorus. Of 6 teeth of each group serial sections were cut and investigated with polarization light microscopy (PLM) and quantitative energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). RESULTS: The PLM results showed an increased remineralization of the lesion body in the Elmex Anticaries, Elmex Sensitive and Colgate GRF group but not in the Blend-a-med group. A statistically significant higher Ca content was found in the Elmex Anticaries group. The fluoride content in the superficial enamel layer was significantly increased in both Elmex groups and the Blend-a-med group. Phosphorus solubility was significantly decreased in both Elmex groups and the Blend-a-med group. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that amine fluoride compounds in toothpastes result in a clearly marked remineralization of caries like enamel lesions followed by sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate formulations.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of amine fluoride (AmF)/stannous fluoride (SnF2) containing toothpaste and mouthrinse on gingival health of young adults. Altogether 42 persons participated in the study (mean age: 28.3 +/- 7.2) and were evaluated for Plaque Index (PI) (Silness and Löe, 1963) and Gingival Index (GI) (Löe and Silness, 1964). The probands were randomly divided into two groups, both of them used AmF/SnF2 containing toothpaste twice a day for three minutes toothbrushing. One group (combined group) after toothbrushing rinsed with mouthrinse containing AmF/AnF2 combination. After four weeks the participants were re-examined. At the end of the study statistically significant decrease was found in dental plaque (PI) and gingival index (GI) values. Values of PI and GI in the group using only toothpaste were as follows (mean +/- S.D.): PI values-baseline: 1.03 +/- 0.20; final: 0.60 +/- 0.13; p<0.001; GI values-baseline: 0.87 +/- 0.22; final: 0.505 +/- 0.22; p<0.01. The values of PI and GI in the combined group were as follows: PI values-baseline: 1.10 +/- 0.20; final: 0.52 +/- 0.10; p<0.001; GI values- baseline: 1.05 +/- 0.27; final: 0.50 +/- 0.17; p< +/- 0.001. The reduction of PI and GI values was significant in all groups but it was higher in the combined (toothpaste + mouthrinse) group than in the one using toothpaste only. It is concluded that regular use of AmF/AnF2 toothpaste has a beneficial effect for reduction of plaque accumulation but its effect can be enhanced with additional use of Am/SnF2 containing mouthrinse.
