Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on initial Carious Enamel Lesions in primary teeth: an In-vitro study

Abstract

Background Dental caries initiates with non-cavitated enamel lesions as the first stage. The cariogenic potential of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) may be due to its usage frequency and form. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of exposure time of NAC on initial enamel caries-like lesions in primary teeth by assessing the morphological alteration using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mineral content using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Methods Forty primary incisor teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups S, S1, S2, and S3 (10 specimens/group). Teeth crowns were cut from their roots and inserted into an acrylic mold with its buccal surface directed upward. Centrally isolated enamel window (2 × 2 mm) on the tooth was done. Ten specimens were selected to evaluate normal enamel while the remaining thirty specimens were immersed in demineralizing solution for 96 h to produce enamel caries-like lesions. PH cycling was performed by immersing each tooth sample in 20 mL of demineralizing solution for 3 h then, preserved for the remaining day hours in 10 ml of artificial saliva interspersed with treatments applications with 10 ml NAC for 10 min twice a day for one- or three-months different treatment modalities. Thermocycling was done for all specimens then they were subjected to SEM and EDX analysis. ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests were utilized in data analysis. Results In teeth treated by NAC for 3 months (group-S3), SEM images showed severe loss of enamel architecture with large NAC deposits detected. A meaningful difference was observed among different groups concerning calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, ca/P ratio, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen contents (P < 0.05). Conclusion NAC had a detrimental impact on enamel caries-like lesions in human primary teeth.

Evaluation of Remineralizing Ability and Mechanical Properties of Two Fluoride Rechargeable Fissure Sealants in Primary Molars: An In vitro Study

“…(45) In the current study, changes in mineral content of enamel of pits and fissures after sealants application were assessed, and surface alterations on enamel were examined using EDX, which are regarded as the most accurate techniques for evaluating the remineralizing ability. (46) EDX is a chemical elemental microanalysis technique which was widely used in measuring mineral content at the ultrastructural level in several studies. (47) It was used in this study to assess the remineralization ability of both materials on the demineralized enamel surface and to compare their effects on the enamel surface.…”