Objectives This in vitro study aimed to characterize the superficial and subsurface morphology of dental enamel treated with fluoridated gels containing different biomimetic compounds after erosive challenge.
Materials and Methods Bovine incisor teeth were sectioned to obtain enamel blocks (4 mm × 4 mm × 6 mm; n = 5) that were demineralized to create an artificial caries lesion and treated by pH cycling interspersed with exposure to fluoridated toothpaste slurries under agitation. During pH cycling (demineralization and remineralization for 2 and 22 hours, respectively) for 6 days, the enamel blocks were exposed to toothpaste slurries under agitation with one of the dental gels: Regenerate Enamel Science (NR-5 technology), Daily Regenerator Dental Clean (REFIX technology), and Sensodyne Repair & Protect (Novamin technology). The enamel blocks were subjected to an erosive challenge, immersed in 50% citric acid for 2 minutes, and then washed with plenty of distilled water. The surface and cross-sectional micromorphology were assessed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The elemental analyses (weight percentage) were determined with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).
Results Enamel treated with the product containing REFIX technology presented a smoother surface morphology compared to the other treatments. The higher resistance to the erosive challenge can be attributed to a silicon-enriched mineral layer formed on the enamel induced by the REFIX-based toothpaste. This was not observed in the specimens treated with the other technology-containing toothpastes.
Conclusion The REFIX technology seemed to be the most promising compared to the Novamin and NR-5 technologies. In addition to forming a surface mineralized layer, the enamel treated with REFIX technology associated with the pH cycling resisted a subsequent erosive challenge.
Background
To evaluate the efficacy of fluoride-containing toothpastes with different technologies to remineralize artificial caries lesions in enamel.
Methods
Bovine enamel blocks were divided into three thirds: intact (untreated), demineralized (artificial caries lesion), and treated (caries lesion, pH cycling with dentifrices). Enamel blocks were randomly distributed into five groups (n = 12): Fluoride-free toothpaste, Colgate Oral Care (NC); Arginine-containing toothpaste, Colgate Total Daily Repair (PC); Silicate-based fluoride toothpaste: REFIX technology, regenerador + sensitive (RDC), NR-5 technology, Regenerate Enamel Science (RES), and NOVAMIN technology, Sensodyne Repair and Protect (SRP). The specimens were submitted to a pH cycling model for 6 days. The efficacy of the toothpastes was estimated by calculating the surface microhardness recovery (%SMHR) and the fluorescence recovery (ΔFRE) with quantitative light-induced fluorescence. The cross-sectional micromorphology of the enamel surface was also assessed using scanning electron microscopy. Elemental analyses (weight%) were determined with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The results were compared to that of the control (NC). Data were statistically analyzed (5%).
Results
%SMHR could be ranked as follows: RDC = PC = RES = SRP > NC. Significantly higher %SMHR and ΔFRE means were observed after enamel treatment with RDC (22.7 and 46.9, respectively). PC (%SMHR = 18.8) was as efficacious as RDC to recover the surface microhardness with a significantly lower mean of ΔFRE (19.5). Only RDC was able to promote the formation of a mineralized layer on the surface of enamel enriched with silicon on the surface.
Conclusions
The silicate-based fluoride toothpaste containing REFIX technology demonstrated greater efficacy in the remineralizing artificial caries than the other products.
Objective: To evaluate the erosive potential of manufactured teas according to pH, titratable acidity and buffering capacity. Material and Methods: Eight types of manufactured teas of different brands and flavors acquired in supermarkets of João Pessoa, Brazil, were investigated. Indaiá ® mineral water and Coca-Cola ® were controls. The pH measurement and titratable acidity for pH 5.5 and 7.0 were performed in triplicate in 50 ml of each beverage. The buffering capacity was calculated based on pH and titratable acidity for pH 7.0. ANOVA, Tukey, and Pearson correlation, with p <0.05, were used for data analysis. Results: Data showed normal distribution by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for all variables. There was a statistically significant relationship between groups analyzed in all variables (ANOVA, p <0.001). The pH of teas ranged from 2.70 (Black Tea with lemon-Leão Fuze ® ) to 4.03 (Natural Mate TeaMatte Leão ® ). The following significant correlations (p <0.01) were observed: pH and titratable acidity; buffering capacity and pH; buffering capacity and titratable acidity. Conclusion: All teas analyzed were potentially erosive; however, Black Tea with lemon (Leão Fuze ® ) had the lowest pH, the highest titratable acidity and buffering capacity, demonstrating that the saliva will have greater difficulty in buffering this tea in the oral environment.
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