Targeted Biopolymer Particles for Minimally-Invasive Dentistry

Objectives: Early treatment of caries can prevent invasive restorative procedures and improve dental outcomes. However, existing non-invasive treatments for early, non-cavitated caries are suboptimal. Furthermore, ineffective tools to monitor treatment efficacy impede their use. This study demonstrates an innovative strategy using biobased targeted nanotechnology to improve treatment and to assess/follow treatment of early dental caries.
Methods: Forty extracted human teeth with non-cavitated smooth-surface caries were evaluated for lesion porosity/activity with targeted fluorescent starch particles formulated as LumiCare™ (LC) Caries Detection Rinse. Teeth were randomized by treatment: 1) DI-water negative control (n=10), 2) 1000ppm NaF (n=10), and 3) targeted mineral-loaded starch particles formulated as CrystLCare™ (CC-FF) Biorestorative, Fluoride-Free dissolvable dental strips (n=20). Samples underwent a 20-day remineralization protocol with 4x daily treatment applications, immersion in artificial saliva with amylase, and 4-hour lactic acid challenge. After testing, samples were re-evaluated with LC, then scanned with micro-computed tomography to compare lesion mineralization vs. depth segmentation for treated vs. untreated lesions.
Results: Carious lesion activity was assessed using LC Rinse. Lesions treated with CC-FF demonstrated substantial remineralization compared to fluoride and negative controls (Table 1). Mineralization following CC-FF treatment was significant, particularly in the lesion subsurface compared to negative and fluoride controls (Table 2, multivariable regression analysis, p<0.05). Following treatment, LC fluorescence was reduced for lesions treated with CC-FF and fluoride compared to negative control (Table 3, ANOVA, p<0.05).
Conclusions: These results demonstrate in vitro potential for targeted biopolymer nanotechnology for non-invasive remineralization treatment (CC-FF) and monitoring of treatment efficacy (LC) of non-cavitated carious lesions as tools for Minimally Invasive Dentistry. Future work will evaluate these technologies clinically.