Efficiency of dental caries prevention with the use of polymer-based toothpastes modified by the electromagnetic field

Abstract

The most important problems of modern dentistry cover not only the early diagnosis but also prevention of dental caries, including the one based on the use of various hygienic products and therapeutic agents. Normally, the processes of re- and demineralization in the oral cavity are in a state of dynamic. However, in the presence of cariogenic factors, the balance is shifted towards demineralization. In the event of initial caries, enamel remineralization is possible only to a certain extent, and specifically, for a reversible degree of carious lesion. There was an idea about structural changes in polymer-based consumable dental materials including toothpastes. The purpose of the study is to increase the efficiency of dental caries prevention based on the activation of metabolic processes in dental hard tissues with the use of R.O.C.S. Active Calcium toothpastes (Russian-Swiss "DRC-Group" company) modified by an electromagnetic field. As a result of the experimental part of the study, certain changes in the properties of the R.O.C.S. Active Calcium toothpastes under the electromagnetic field influence including microstructural transformation of the toothpaste (an increase in the size of the polymer matrix particles and a decrease in the distance between them confirmed by the electron microscopy findings), confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy results. The investigations with the help of X-ray microanalysis made it possible to clarify the chemical composition of the surface layer of the tooth enamel, for the first time to reveal in detail the concentration of micro- and macroelements of organic and inorganic nature, to trace the changes occurring under controlled tooth cleaning with the R.O.C.S. Active Calcium toothpaste treated with an electromagnetic field. The obtained results promote the further studies of laws in change of physical and mechanical properties of treatment-and-prophylactic means under the electromagnetic field influence in respect of dental caries preventive maintenance efficiency increase.