Potential agents to control enamel caries-like lesions

Abstract 

Objectives

To assess whether pastes containing casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP–ACP) and calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSP) control artificial caries lesion progression.

Methods

Enamel slabs of bovine teeth were embedded in polyester resin and had their enamel surfaces serially polished, and tested for surface microhardness (SMH, 25g, 5s). Incipient caries-like lesions were pre-formed and specimens were evaluated by microhardness test (SMH_post-lesion) and randomly assigned to five treatment groups (n=15): (1) regular dentifrice (RE, 1,100ppm F); (2) dentifrice with calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSP); (3) amorphous calcium phosphate stabilized by casein phosphopeptide (CPP–ACP); (4) CPP–ACP with 900ppm F (CPP–ACP+F) and (5) control group—unexposed to any remineralizing agent. Treatments were applied five times, after the de-remineralization period in the cariogenic challenges. Post-treatments SMH measurements were conducted (SMH_{post-treatment}).

Results

ANOVA was applied for data evaluation and revealed a significant difference among the treatments (p=0.0161). Tukey's test was conducted and the percentage of mineral loss was calculated. Specimens exposed to CSP (7.1%), RE (6.7%) and CPP–ACP+F (3.8%) showed lower mineral loss than those that in the control group (−11.0%). CPP–ACP group (3.2%) differed from the control, CSP and RE groups.

Conclusions

Depending on the agent used, a remineralizing effect may be expected, which reflects in caries lesions progression.

Keywords: Dental caries, Microhardness, CCP–ACP, Calcium sodium phosphosilicate