Effects of Fluoride Dentifrice on Remineralization of Demineralized Primary Enamel

Methods: 120 sound primary incisors were partly covered with nail varnish, leaving a 1×1 mm. window, and placed in demineralizing solution for 96 hours to produce artificial carious lesions 60-100 micron depth. They were assigned to 8 groups (A to H; n=15). Group A-D were exposed to half pea sized portion dentifrice (0.16 g) and group E-H were exposed to a pea sized portion dentifrice (0.32 g) of 0, 250, 500 and 1,000 ppm fluoride respectively. The pH-cycling method was used for 7 days, then the teeth were cut through the lesions and grinded. All sections were examined under polarized light microscope, the photographs were taken and analyzed. Lesion depth was measured by using computerized – calculated method with Image - Pro Plus Program. Results were analyzed using One way ANOVA and LSD test.

Results: The mean lesion depth of all fluoridated dentifrice groups were significantly different from both control groups (A and E). However, no significant difference existed among fluoridated dentifrice groups. No significant results were found between half pea-sized and pea-sized portion groups.

Conclusions: The fluoride containing dentifrice had significant remineralizing efficacy greater than non-fluoride containing dentifrice. This study could not found any significant difference between 250, 500 and 1,000 ppm fluoride dentifrices on remineralization. The half pea-sized portion had similar remineralization effect to pea-sized portion fluoride containing dentifrice.