Comparison of Tooth Mousse (MI Paste) with Clinpro in situ

Two dental products [Tooth Mousse Plus^TM/MI Paste Plus^TM (TMP) and Clinpro^TM (CP)] containing calcium, phosphate and fluoride are claimed to enhance enamel remineralization over fluoride products. Objectives: To compare remineralization of enamel subsurface lesions by TMP, CP, 1000 ppm F and 5000 ppm F in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over in situ study. Methods: Human enamel specimens with subsurface lesions were prepared and inserted into intra-oral appliances worn by healthy volunteers (n=6). A slurry (1g paste in 4ml H₂O) of each paste was rinsed for 60 sec, 4 times per day for 10 days. Six pastes were tested (i) placebo, (ii) 1000 ppm F, (iii) 5000 ppm F, (iv) Tooth Mousse/MI paste (TM), (v) TM plus 900 ppm F (TMP) and (vi) Clinpro with 1000 ppm F (CP). Pastes were randomly assigned and each subject crossed over to each paste after a 7 day washout period. Calcium, inorganic phosphate and fluoride levels were measured in post-rinse/saliva samples using ion chromatography. Mineral content was measured using transverse microradiography. Results: Only TM and TMP significantly increased salivary calcium and phosphate levels, with TMP increasing salivary calcium, inorganic phosphate and fluoride levels to 51.6 ± 15.7 mM, 35.4 ± 10.3 mM and 108.3 ± 38.1 ppm F respectively. The pastes produced the following levels of remineralization of the enamel subsurface lesions: Placebo 3.7 ± 2.1%; 1000 F 7.9 ± 2.1%; Clinpro 9.6 ± 0.9%; 5000 F 16.3 ± 1.3; TM 24.2 ± 2.3 and TMP 29.3 ± 0.7%. Clinpro was not significantly different to 1000 ppm F whereas TM and TMP were superior to 5000 ppm F with TMP producing the highest level of enamel lesion remineralization. Conclusion: TMP containing casein phosphopeptide-stabilized calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions was superior to functionalized TCP and F of Clinpro in remineralization of enamel subsurface lesions in situ.