IADR Abstract Archives
Efficiency of a Hydroxyapatite-Based Polishing Paste in a Plaque Model
Objectives: Supragingival tooth cleaning is essential to remove dental plaque and thus reduce or avoid caries progression and/or gingival inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of a novel hydroxyapatite-based polishing paste for tooth cleaning in an artificial dental plaque model.
Methods: Twenty buccal tooth surfaces were divided by cutting a vertical slot and separated with an inserted metal band. The resulting 40 enamel surfaces were inoculated with an artificial dental plaque consisting of couscous, sugar, milk and blue stain (Mira-2-Ton, Hager & Werken, Duisburg, Germany) with a drying time of 48 hours. Tooth surfaces were randomly assigned to two cleaning procedures using a green ring 4:1 dental handpiece and a standard polishing cup (Pro-Cup, KerrHawe, Bioggio, Switzerland): (I) hydroxyapatite-based paste (Lunos Prophy Paste Super Soft, Duerr Dental, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany), (II) fine-grit paste (Proxyt 7, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein). The endpoint of each tooth cleaning procedure was the visually clean tooth surface. All treatment procedures were performed by one investigator, allowing an intraexperimental comparison of the results. Employing a light-body silicone impression material, a replica technique was used to prepare the specimens for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis before plaque application and after complete plaque removal.
Results: Both cleaning procedures under study resulted in a visually complete plaque removal. Therefore, treatment time in group (I) (median: 15.1s, min: 11.0, max: 25.7, interquartile range: 5.8) and group (II) (median: 17.2s, min: 12.7, max: 24.8, interquartile range: 4.0) did not show a statistically significant difference (p>0.05). SEM analysis showed a microscopically intact tooth surface in both groups without polishing-caused exposure of enamel prism structures.
Conclusions: Both polishing pastes under study can remove dental plaque effectively. The possible impact of hydroxyapatite on the mineral content of dental hard tissues has to be evaluated in further studies.
Methods: Twenty buccal tooth surfaces were divided by cutting a vertical slot and separated with an inserted metal band. The resulting 40 enamel surfaces were inoculated with an artificial dental plaque consisting of couscous, sugar, milk and blue stain (Mira-2-Ton, Hager & Werken, Duisburg, Germany) with a drying time of 48 hours. Tooth surfaces were randomly assigned to two cleaning procedures using a green ring 4:1 dental handpiece and a standard polishing cup (Pro-Cup, KerrHawe, Bioggio, Switzerland): (I) hydroxyapatite-based paste (Lunos Prophy Paste Super Soft, Duerr Dental, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany), (II) fine-grit paste (Proxyt 7, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein). The endpoint of each tooth cleaning procedure was the visually clean tooth surface. All treatment procedures were performed by one investigator, allowing an intraexperimental comparison of the results. Employing a light-body silicone impression material, a replica technique was used to prepare the specimens for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis before plaque application and after complete plaque removal.
Results: Both cleaning procedures under study resulted in a visually complete plaque removal. Therefore, treatment time in group (I) (median: 15.1s, min: 11.0, max: 25.7, interquartile range: 5.8) and group (II) (median: 17.2s, min: 12.7, max: 24.8, interquartile range: 4.0) did not show a statistically significant difference (p>0.05). SEM analysis showed a microscopically intact tooth surface in both groups without polishing-caused exposure of enamel prism structures.
Conclusions: Both polishing pastes under study can remove dental plaque effectively. The possible impact of hydroxyapatite on the mineral content of dental hard tissues has to be evaluated in further studies.