A Comparison of NovaMin™ and Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Fluoride on Enamel Remineralization - An In vitro Study Using Scanning Electron Microscope and DIAGNOdent®

Aim:

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of NovaMin^™ (SHY-NM) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF) (tooth mousse plus^™) on enamel remineralization using DIAGNOdent^® and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Methodology:

Eighty-six natural permanent maxillary first premolars were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 43 each, Group A (NovaMin^™) and Group B (CPP-ACPF). All the samples were assessed using DIAGNOdent^® (KaVo) at the baseline, after demineralization, and remineralization after 7 days. Two samples were randomly selected from each group after remineralization to evaluate the surface changes using SEM at × 1000 and × 2000.

Results:

The mean value of remineralization was highest for Group A NovaMin^™ (6.56 ± 0.93) compared to Group B, CPP-ACPF (tooth mousse plus^™) (6.02 ± 1.09). The maximum demineralization to remineralization value within the groups showed that the mean values in Group B CPP-ACPF (7.02 ± 3.02) was higher than Group A NovaMin^™ (6.42 ± 2.21). The difference in remineralizing potential between the groups and demineralization to remineralization value in within-group comparison was not found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion:

On comparing Group A NovaMin^™ and Group B CPP-ACPF, Group B CPP-ACPF showed a higher amount of remineralization than Group A NovaMin^™. From the present study, it can be inferred that both the experimental groups have the potential for remineralization.

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.