The remineralization effect of GERM CLEAN on early enamel caries: An in vitro study

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the remineralization effect of GERM CLEAN, a novel antibacterial peptide, on early enamel caries.Methods: Forty human enamel blocks from thirty teeth were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1, 2, 3, 4 received GERM CLEAN (GC group)，GERM CLEAN and 1000 ppm fluoride (GC+NaF group), 1000 ppm fluoride (NaF group) and double distilled water (DDW), respectively. Specimens in these groups were subjected to demineralization for 3 days followed by pH cycling with intermittent treatment with the corresponding solutions for 14 days. After pH cycling, atomic force microscope (AFM), transverse micro-radiography (TMR), and polarized light microscopy (PLM) were conducted to analyse enamel blocks. Results: The study found that samples of the GC group showed smoother surfaces and less mineral loss than samples of the DDW group (P<0.05). Samples of the NaF group demonstrated the smoothest surfaces, the least mineral loss, and the shallowest lesion depth, which were similar to those of the GC+NaF group (P>0.05) and had significant differences than the DDW group and the GC group (P<0.05). Conclusions: GERM CLEAN has the potential to promote remineralization of demineralized enamel and could inhibit mineral loss to a certain extent.