Effect of different remineralizing agents on surface microhardness of demineralized enamel

Abstract Aim To evaluate the remineralization potential presented by surface metrology, of three remineralizing agents: fluoride based varnish (Clinpro white varnish), CPP-ACPF (MI paste plus) and fluoride-containing mouthwash (Colgate enamel strength). Materials and methods Thirty freshly extracted intact permanent anterior teeth were selected. Roots were separated at cemento-enamel junction, the incisal one third of the crowns were sectioned by a slow speed diamond disc. The labial surface of each sample was examined under Vickers hardness testing machine to investigate surface microhardness. All samples were demineralized by immersion in demineralized solution for 96 h and reexamined. The demineralized samples were randomly divided into three equal groups I, II and III (10 samples each), according to the remineralization regimen used following the manufacturer’ recommendations; samples in group I treated by Clinpro white varnish, group II treated with MI paste plus while those in group III treated with Colgate enamel strength mouthwash. All samples were reexamined under Vickers hardness testing machine. Results Decrease of surface microhardness following demineralization by demineralized solution of group I (286.36) compared to that recorded after remineralization (591.63). After remineralization in group II utilizing MI paste plus there was an increase in surface microhardness mean value (435.6) while in group III utilizing Colgate enamel strength mouthwash mean value (407.2) was recorded. Regarding group I, Sound tooth baseline measurement showed highly significant decrease after demineralization, and highly significant increase after remineralization ( P = 0.0023). Regarding group II, Sound tooth baseline measurement showed significant decrease after demineralization, and highly significant increase after remineralization ( P = 0.021). Regarding group III, Sound tooth baseline measurement showed highly significant decrease after demineralization, and highly significant increase after remineralization ( P = 0.0072). Analysis of variance test compared these values at a level of significance ( P < 0.05) and revealed a statistical significant difference among baseline data (original enamel surface), demineralized and remineralized samples in all groups. Conclusion Clinpro white varnish is better than MI paste plus and Colgate enamel strength mouthwash in the remineralizing efficacy.