The differences of enamel hardness post application of silver diamine fluoride and fluoride varnish on demineralized tooth surface (in vitro)

This research aimed to determine the difference in enamel hardness after the application of silver diamine fluoride and fluoride varnish on the surface of demineralized tooth. An in vitro true experimental research was conducted by collecting 27 maxillary premolars, which were separated into crowns and roots and divided into three groups (control, silver diamine fluoride, fluoride varnish). Demineralization was performed on all groups. Silver diamine fluoride remineralizing agent and fluoride varnish were applied for 3 min to the tooth enamel surface before the specimens were immersed in artificial saliva and placed in an incubator at 37 °C for 7 days. Tooth enamel hardness was measured using the MicroVickers hardness tester before demineralization, after demineralization, and after remineralization. The data analysis used in this research was one-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey test for analyzing the differences in enamel hardness between groups and paired t-tests for analyzing the differences in enamel hardness in each group. The level of significance α was set at ≤ 0.05. All groups showed a significant increase in enamel hardness after remineralization (p < 0.05), with the highest mean value observed in the silver diamine fluoride group. Post hoc Tukey analysis revealed a significant difference between silver diamine fluoride and fluoride varnish groups (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in enamel hardness between silver diamine fluoride and fluoride varnish post-application on the demineralized tooth surface. Silver diamine fluoride may be more effective option in managing early enamel demineralization and preventing the progression of caries.