Effect of Two Remineralizing Agents on Initial Caries-like Lesions in Young Permanent Teeth: An in Vitro Study

AIM

To compare the effect of nano-hydroxyapatite (9000 ppm F) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (900 ppm F) pastes on initial enamel carious lesions of young permanent teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty extracted young premolars with a standardized window on enamel were immersed in a demineralizing solution for 48 hours to produce subsurface enamel lesions. They were divided into three groups according to remineralizing agents (n = 20) group I: nano-hydroxyapatite paste; group II: casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride paste; and group III: control (without an agent). The enamel surface microhardness (SMH) was measured at baseline, after the incipient enamel lesion, and after treatment. Additional twenty young premolars were selected and prepared as mentioned above for surface morphology evaluation by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTS

No significant difference was found in mean surface microhardness in teeth treated with nano-hydroxyapatite paste and those treated with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride p = 0.26. SEM showed improvement in surface defects of demineralized enamel in the two test groups.

CONCLUSION

Nano-hydroxyapatite and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride pastes were effec -tive in rehardening the initial enamel caries lesions in young permanent teeth.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The best strategy for caries management is to focus on the methods of improving the reminer-alization process with the aid of the remineralizing agents. The current study compared the remineralizing effect of two remineralizing agents. Within the limitations of the study, both remineralizing agents were effective for remineralization of early caries-like lesions.