Evaluation of In-vitro Remineralistation Treatments of Enamel White Spot Lestions

Evaluation of

In-vitro Remineralisation Treatments of Enamel White Spot Lesions

Tiffany Huang¹,

Chris He¹, Alan Jones² and Michael Swain¹,

¹Biomaterial Laboratory, Dentistry, University of Sydney, ²Electron Microscopy Unit, University of Sydney.

Objectives: There is considerable interest in minimal

intervention and non-surgical reparative strategies for treating carious

lesions.  Methods: In this study proximal white spot lesions (WSLs) of

pre-molar permanent teeth were subjected to in-vitro treatments with CPP-ACP

(GC Tooth Mousse) and calcium sucrose phosphate-calcium orthophosphate complex

(Capodent) remineralising treatments.  Also, the hard external surfaces of such

lesions were removed and similar treatments applied.  Treatment regime for the

lesions was as follows: once a day application of remineralising agent on clean

tooth surface for 5 minutes and then immersed in artificial saliva. Prior to

remineralisation treatments 3-D mineral density (MD) maps were generated using

X-ray micro tomography (XRMT) with the aid of 4 phantom HA sintered disks - densities

ranging from 1.49 to 3.14 g/cm³ which covered the range of the

demineralised enamel in WSLs. Repeat XRMT MD maps were generated after 4 and 8

wks of treatment. In the sectioned teeth nano-indentation tests were conducted

at specific locations before and after 1, 2, 3, 5and 8 wks of treatment with

above solutions and Duraphat. Results: Data generated from both XRMT and

nano-indentation was statistically compared to quantify changes in MD and

mechanical properties.  Conclusion: The results are discussed in terms

of the micro-structural architecture of demineralised enamel structure and

natural defence mechanisms to sustain the structural form and mechanical

integrity of enamel subjected to repetitive plaque bacterial induced acidic

challenges.