Demineralization Inhibition Properties of Adhesive Materials

Objective: To compare the demineralization inhibition properties of the continuum of fluoride releasing tooth colored restorative materials. The effects of aging on the caries inhibition properties of the materials were also assessed. Methods: Materials evaluated included Reactmer [RM]; Fuji II [FJ]; Fuji II LC [FL]; Dyract AP [DY]; and SpectrumTPH [SP] was used for comparison.Class V buccal and lingual/palatal preparations were made at the CEJ of 75 freshly extracted molar teeth. The teeth were equally and randomly divided into 5 groups and restored with the various materials. Half of the restorations in each group were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 2 weeks and the other half for 6 months. All restorations were subjected to artificial caries challenge (18hr demineralization [pH 5.0] + 6 hr remineralization [pH 7.0]) for 3 days. Tooth sections of 130±20µm were examined with PLM. Outer lesion depths (OLD) and wall area (WA) lesion/inhibition were evaluated using image analysis software. Data were subjected to ANOVA/Scheffe's post-hoc test and paired samples t-test. Results: At 2 weeks, enamel OLD – no significant difference between materials; Dentin OLD – SP & DY > FJ, FL & RM; Enamel WA inhibition – FJ, FL & RM > DY & SP; and Dentin WA inhibition – FJ > FL > RM > DY > SP. At 6 months, enamel OLD – FJ, RM, DY, SP > FL; Dentin OLD – SP > FJ, FL, RM, DY; Enamel WA inhibition – FJ > FL, RM > DY > SP; and Dentin WA inhibition – FJ > FL, RM > DY > SP. Conclusions: The demineralization inhibition effects of materials were time and tissue dependent. At both time intervals, FJ & RM had similar enamel and dentin OLD. At both time intervals, enamel and dentin WA inhibition by glass ionomers and giomer was significantly greater than the compomer and composite.