Objective: This study explores the efficacy of an experimental orthodontic amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) composite to remineralize in vitro subsurface enamel lesions microradiographically similar to those seen in early caries. Methods:Lesions were artificially created in extracted human molars. Single tooth sections a minimum of 120 μm thick were cut and individually placed in holders exposing only the carious enamel surface. The exposed surfaces were either left untreated (control) or coated with a 1 mm thick layer of the experimental ACP composite (mass fraction 40 % zirconiahybridized ACP and 60 % photo-activated resin), or a commercial fluoride-releasing orthodontic cement. The composite-coated sections were then photo-cured and microradiographic images were taken of all three groups of specimens before the treatment. Specimens were then cyclically immersed in demineralizing and remineralizing solutions for one month at 37 °C to simulate the pH changes occurring in the oral environment. Microradiographs of all specimens were taken before and after treatment. Results:Quantitative digital image analysis of matched areas from the contact microradiographs taken before and after treatment indicated higher mineral recovery with ACP composites compared to the commercial orthodontic F-releasing cement (14.4 % vs. 4.3 %, respectively), while the control specimens showed an average of 55.4 % further demineralization.Significance: Experimental ACP composite efficiently established mineral ion transfer throughout the body of the lesions and restored the mineral lost due to acid attack. It can be considered a useful adjuvant for the control of caries in orthodontic applications.

This study explored how resin type affects selected physicochemical properties of complex methacrylate copolymers and their amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-filled and glass-filled composites. Two series of photo-polymerizable resin matrices were formulated employing 2,2-bis [p-(2'-hydroxy-3'-methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA) or an ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (EBPADMA) as the base monomer, Unfilled copolymers and composites filled with a mass fraction with 40 %, 35 % and 30 %, respectively, of ACP or the un-silanized glass were assessed for biaxial flexure strength (BFS), water sorption (WS) and mineral ion release upon immersion in HEPES-buffered saline solution for up to six months. Substituting EBPADMA for Bis-GMA significantly reduced the WS while only marginally affected the BFS of both dry and wet copolymers. Independent of the filler level, both dry and wet ACP composites formulated with either BTHM or ETHM resins were mechanically weaker than the corresponding copolymers. The BFS of ACP composite specimens after 1 month in saline did not further decrease with further aqueous exposure. The BFS of glass-filled composites decreased with the increased level of the glass filler and the time of aqueous exposure. After 6 months of immersion, the BFS of glass-filled BTHM and ETHM composites, respectively, remained 58 % and 41 % higher than the BFS of the corresponding ACP composites. Ion release data indicated that a minimum mass fraction of 35 % ACP was required to attain the desired solution supersaturation with respect to hydroxyapatite for both the BTHM and ETHM derived composites.