IADR Abstract Archives
Effects of Laser and Remineralization Agents in increasing the Caries Resistance of Primary Enamel
Objectives: The remineralization agents, fluorides and calcium-phosphate compounds(CPP-ACP) along with laser, have been used for prevention of tooth decay. The aim of the present study is to determine the protective effect against caries of four different remineralization agents used with or without laser.
Methods: After measuring the initial microhardness values of 150 non-caries primary molars, the teeth were randomly assigned to 10 groups of Control(C), NaF, APF, Fluoride Varnish(FC), CPP-ACP, Laser(L), L+NaF, L+APF, L+FC, L+CPP-ACP (n=15). The microhardness measurements were repeated after the treatments and the pH cycle. The obtained data were analyzed statistically. One sample from each group was examined before treatment, after treatment and after the pH cycle with a scanning electron microscope.
Results: In the study, in all experimental groups, microhardness after treatment increased compared to baseline(Δ1), but decreased after the pH cycle compared to after treatment (Δ2)(p<0.05). With respect to Δ1, among all the experimental groups, there was no significant difference between group L and group C(p>0.05). There were significant differences between groups C and APF, L, L+NaF, L+APF, L+FC, L+CPP-ACP in terms of Δ2(p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between groups C and NaF; C and CPP-ACP in regard to the difference in microhardness after the pH cycle compared to the baseline (Δ3)(p> 0.05). There was a significant difference between groups L and L+FC(p <0.05), while no significant difference was noted between groups L and L+NaF, L+APF, L+CPP-ACP (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences between the groups L+FC and NaF, CPP-ACP, L were noted(p<0.05).
Conclusions: As a conclusion, FC, which is one of the commonly used remineralization agents in pediatric dentistry practice, is more effective when used in combination with laser than laser alone. Of the other remineralization agents, NaF, CPP-ACP and laser may be insufficient in protecting the primary teeth against acid attacks compared to FC used with laser.
Methods: After measuring the initial microhardness values of 150 non-caries primary molars, the teeth were randomly assigned to 10 groups of Control(C), NaF, APF, Fluoride Varnish(FC), CPP-ACP, Laser(L), L+NaF, L+APF, L+FC, L+CPP-ACP (n=15). The microhardness measurements were repeated after the treatments and the pH cycle. The obtained data were analyzed statistically. One sample from each group was examined before treatment, after treatment and after the pH cycle with a scanning electron microscope.
Results: In the study, in all experimental groups, microhardness after treatment increased compared to baseline(Δ1), but decreased after the pH cycle compared to after treatment (Δ2)(p<0.05). With respect to Δ1, among all the experimental groups, there was no significant difference between group L and group C(p>0.05). There were significant differences between groups C and APF, L, L+NaF, L+APF, L+FC, L+CPP-ACP in terms of Δ2(p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between groups C and NaF; C and CPP-ACP in regard to the difference in microhardness after the pH cycle compared to the baseline (Δ3)(p> 0.05). There was a significant difference between groups L and L+FC(p <0.05), while no significant difference was noted between groups L and L+NaF, L+APF, L+CPP-ACP (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences between the groups L+FC and NaF, CPP-ACP, L were noted(p<0.05).
Conclusions: As a conclusion, FC, which is one of the commonly used remineralization agents in pediatric dentistry practice, is more effective when used in combination with laser than laser alone. Of the other remineralization agents, NaF, CPP-ACP and laser may be insufficient in protecting the primary teeth against acid attacks compared to FC used with laser.