Zénó Gintner

Effect of fluoride toothpastes on enamel demineralization

BackgroundIt was the aim of this study to investigate the effect of four different toothpastes with differing fluoride compounds on enamel remineralization.MethodsA 3 × 3 mm window on the enamel surface of 90 human premolars was demineralized in a hydroxyethylcellulose solution at pH 4.8. The teeth were divided into 6 groups and the lower half of the window was covered with varnish serving as control. The teeth were immersed in a toothpaste slurry containing: placebo tooth paste (group 1); remineralization solution (group 2); Elmex Anticaries (group 3); Elmex Sensitive (group 4); Blend-a-med Complete (group 5) and Colgate GRF (group 6). Ten teeth of each group were used for the determination of the F- content in the superficial enamel layer and acid solubility of enamel expressed in soluble phosphorus. Of 6 teeth of each group serial sections were cut and investigated with polarization light microscopy (PLM) and quantitative energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX).ResultsThe PLM results showed an increased remineralization of the lesion body in the Elmex Anticaries, Elmex Sensitive and Colgate GRF group but not in the Blend-a-med group. A statistically significant higher Ca content was found in the Elmex Anticaries group. The fluoride content in the superficial enamel layer was significantly increased in both Elmex groups and the Blend-a-med group. Phosphorus solubility was significantly decreased in both Elmex groups and the Blend-a-med group.ConclusionIt can be concluded that amine fluoride compounds in toothpastes result in a clearly marked remineralization of caries like enamel lesions followed by sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate formulations.

Effect of pH of amine fluoride containing toothpastes on enamel remineralization in vitro.

BackgroundOne of the important factors of the demineralization and remineralization equilibrium of enamel is the pH of the surrounding solutions. Effort has been laid in the formulation of different fluoride compounds and the fluoride content in toothpastes but much less is known about the influence of the pH of the toothpastes on their effectiveness. It was therefore the aim of this study to investigate the influence of different pH levels on enamel remineralization in an in vitro experiment using polarization light microscopy and EDX quantitative element analysis.MethodsA 5 × 5 mm window on the enamel surface of 40 caries free extracted human premolars was demineralized in a hydroxyethylcellulose solution at pH 4.8. The teeth were divided into 8 groups and the lower half of the window was covered with varnish serving as control. Each group was then immersed in toothpaste slurry containing amine fluoride (1400 ppm) at pH 4.1, 4.5, 5.1 and 6.9 or control toothpaste slurry without fluoride at pH 4.3, 4.7, 5.3 and 7.0. Serial sections were cut through the lesions and investigated with polarization light microscopy and quantitative EDX element analysis.ResultsThe PLM results showed a decreased porous volume of the body of the lesion after incubation with fluoridated toothpaste at pH 4.53 and 5.16. No differences between the experimental window and the control window were found in the other groups. The quantitative element analysis showed no differences in the element content of any of the groups.ConclusionFrom the results it can be concluded that slightly acidified fluoridated dentifrices may have a certain positive effect on enamel remineralization.

Collaborative WHO xylitol field studies in Hungary VI. Changes in the carbohydrate to protein ratio of dental plaque

The carbohydrate to protein ratio of dental plaque was analyzed in a field study assessing the effect of partial substitution of dietary sucrose by xylitol (X group) in comparison with systemic fluoride (F group) and restorative treatment solely (C group). The biochemical analysis was supplemented by quantitative assessment of plaque through the visible plaque index (VPI). The present substudy was carried out cross-sectionally and longitudinally (n = 83) in initially 6- to 11-year-old children. Missing base-line values for the carbohydrate to protein ratio were partly compensated for through reexamination of the carbohydrate to protein ratio 15 months after termination of the trial. The latter series served as reference to indicate the base-line situation. A lower carbohydrate to protein ratio was measured in the X and F groups than in the C group. Improvement of the VPI values was obtained only in the X group. Our results suggest the potential value of parallel quantitative and qualitative assessment of plaque.