Remineralising Dentine Caries Using Sodium Fluoride Solution with Silver Nanoparticles

Objectives: To investigate remineralising effect and staining effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) solution with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on artificial dentine caries lesion.
Methods: Demineralised dentine blocks mimicking artificial caries were divided into three groups. Group 1 (Gp1) received 5% NaF (22,600 ppm fluoride) solution with 4,000 ppm AgNPs. Group 2 (Gp2) received 5% NaF solution with 0.6% (4,000 ppm silver) silver nitrate (AgNO₃). Group 3 (Gp3) received water. The blocks underwent 7 cycles of demineralisation-remineraisation. Each cycle had 12-hour cariogenic challenge using Streptococcus mutansbiofilm followed by 12-hour remineralization using artificial saliva. The lesion depth and mineral loss of the blocks was measured with micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). The mineral and organic content of the lesion were studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Crystal characteristics were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Surface morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The shade of the blocks before and after treatment was determined using CIELAB system and the change of the shade (△E) was calculated.
Results: Micro-CT showed that the mean lesion depth of Gp1, Gp2 and Gp3 were 109.2±25.6, 123.3±27.1 and 200.2±26.5, respectively (p<0.001, Gp1Conclusions: In this laboratory study, NaF solution with AgNPs is more effective than NaF solution with AgNO₃in remineralising artificial dentine caries. Moreover, it’s application had no significant staining to the carious lesion.