Effect of a Toothpaste Containing Surface Pre-Reacted Glass-Ionomer Filler on the Remineralization of Artificial Carious Enamel Lesions in situ

Abstract

This study evaluated the remineralizing effect of a toothpaste containing surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler on demineralized enamel in situ. For this, 180 bovine enamel samples were demineralized by using a microcosm biofilm model for 3 days. Thereafter, the samples were randomly signed to 15 healthy volunteers and to 3 cross-over in situ phases corresponding to the following treatments: 1) toothpaste containing 1500 ppm F as NaMFP (positive control, Colgate® Cavity Protection), 2) toothpaste containing 5% S-PRG filler (Shofu®), and 3) placebo toothpaste (negative control prepared by Shofu®). Four demineralized enamel blocks were fixed into each palatal appliance per phase. The volunteers wore the appliances for 5 days and were trained to brush their teeth 2 times for 2 minute a day, while one drop of the toothpaste’s slurry (1:3) was dripped on each sample for the same period. The surface hardness and TMR analyses were done and analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey and t test (p<0.05). S-PRG filler and Colgate® toothpastes were equally able to improve 2-2.5x enamel remineralization by the analysis of % surface hardness recovery. However, S-PRG toothpaste was the only one able to significantly improve ΔΔZ (the integrated mineral loss recovery: 1489 ± 503 %vol.μm) compared to placebo (1050 ± 467 %vol.μm), while Colgate® did not differ from placebo. No differences were seen between the groups with respect to ΔLD. S-PRG filler and Colgate® toothpastes shows similar potential to remineralize the lesion surface. However, S-PRG toothpaste is better to recovery mineral loss at the subsurface area.