Comparative In Vitro Evaluation of the Remineralization Potential of Commercial Pediatric Dentifrices Containing Herbal Ingredients (Ginger, Propolis, Aloe Vera, and Rosemary), Fluoride, and CPP-ACP on Primary Enamel: An SEM-EDX Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effects of fluoride- and casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)-containing products and commercial pediatric dentifrices containing herbal ingredients (propolis, ginger, aloe vera, and rosemary) on artificially induced initial caries lesions in primary tooth enamel using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Materials and Methods: Eighty caries-free primary molars were randomly allocated into eight groups (n = 10): two control groups (sound and demineralized enamel), a fluoride group, a CPP-ACP group, and four commercial herbal dentifrice groups containing propolis, ginger, aloe vera, or rosemary. Artificial initial enamel lesions were created in all specimens except those in the positive control group. During a 7-day pH-cycling protocol, the treatment groups received standardized dentifrice slurry applications twice daily for 4 min. At the end of the experimental period, enamel surfaces were evaluated using SEM-EDX. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal–Wallis test, as appropriate (p < 0.05). Results: SEM analysis revealed a comparatively compact and homogeneous surface appearance in the fluoride group, while the ginger group showed a relatively homogeneous surface morphology among the commercial herbal dentifrice groups. EDX analysis showed no statistically significant differences among the groups in Ca wt% (p = 0.085), Ca at% (p = 0.077), atomic Ca/P ratio (p = 0.138), or weight Ca/P ratio (p = 0.126). Significant between-group differences were observed for both P wt% (p = 0.008) and P at% (p = 0.005), as well as O wt% (p = 0.022) and O at% (p = 0.020). Conclusions: The tested products produced qualitative differences in enamel surface micromorphology and significant differences in some EDX-derived relative elemental percentages; however, Ca percentages and Ca/P ratios did not differ significantly among the groups. Therefore, the observed numerical and morphological variations should not be interpreted as evidence of superior mineral gain or remineralization efficacy. Further in situ and in vivo studies are required to determine the clinical relevance of these findings.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
Published
2026-09-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17100494
Primary Topic
Dental Erosion and Treatment
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
article

Comparative In Vitro Evaluation of the Remineralization Potential of Commercial Pediatric Dentifrices Containing Herbal Ingredients (Ginger, Propolis, Aloe Vera, and Rosemary), Fluoride, and CPP-ACP on Primary Enamel: An SEM-EDX Study

Ebru Akleyin, Hayriye Zehra Türk
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
Dental Erosion and Treatment
article

Comparative In Vitro Evaluation of the Remineralization Potential of Commercial Pediatric Dentifrices Containing Herbal Ingredients (Ginger, Propolis, Aloe Vera, and Rosemary), Fluoride, and CPP-ACP on Primary Enamel: An SEM-EDX Study

Ebru Akleyin, Hayriye Zehra Türk
article en

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effects of fluoride- and casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)-containing products and commercial pediatric dentifrices containing herbal ingredients (propolis, ginger, aloe vera, and rosemary) on artificially induced initial caries lesions in primary tooth enamel using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Materials and Methods: Eighty caries-free primary molars were randomly allocated into eight groups (n = 10): two control groups (sound and demineralized enamel), a fluoride group, a CPP-ACP group, and four commercial herbal dentifrice groups containing propolis, ginger, aloe vera, or rosemary. Artificial initial enamel lesions were created in all specimens except those in the positive control group. During a 7-day pH-cycling protocol, the treatment groups received standardized dentifrice slurry applications twice daily for 4 min. At the end of the experimental period, enamel surfaces were evaluated using SEM-EDX. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal–Wallis test, as appropriate (p < 0.05). Results: SEM analysis revealed a comparatively compact and homogeneous surface appearance in the fluoride group, while the ginger group showed a relatively homogeneous surface morphology among the commercial herbal dentifrice groups. EDX analysis showed no statistically significant differences among the groups in Ca wt% (p = 0.085), Ca at% (p = 0.077), atomic Ca/P ratio (p = 0.138), or weight Ca/P ratio (p = 0.126). Significant between-group differences were observed for both P wt% (p = 0.008) and P at% (p = 0.005), as well as O wt% (p = 0.022) and O at% (p = 0.020). Conclusions: The tested products produced qualitative differences in enamel surface micromorphology and significant differences in some EDX-derived relative elemental percentages; however, Ca percentages and Ca/P ratios did not differ significantly among the groups. Therefore, the observed numerical and morphological variations should not be interpreted as evidence of superior mineral gain or remineralization efficacy. Further in situ and in vivo studies are required to determine the clinical relevance of these findings.

Journal of Functional BiomaterialsVol. 17(10)
Dicle University (TR)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Dental Erosion and Treatment
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.