In Vitro Evaluation of Several Anticariogenic Agents with Different Application Times on Prevention of Enamel Caries

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of several anticariogenic agents on preventing enamel demineralization. In this in vitro study, 60 intact premolar teeth were selected and divided mesiodistally into two halves to provide 120 specimens. The specimens were randomly divided into 8 groups of 15 each. In groups 1 and 2, a cream containing casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate and fluoride (MI Paste Plus), in groups 3 and 4, a cream containing hydroxyapatite and fluoride (Remin Pro), in groups 5 and 6, a sodium fluoride gel (NaF) and in groups 7 and 8, artificial saliva were used. The duration of exposure to the anticariogenic agents was 5 minutes in groups 1, 3, 5 and 7, whereas in groups 2, 4, 6 and 8, the period of exposure was 30 minutes. This procedure was performed daily for 4 days and the specimens were kept in distilled water between treatments. Then, the specimens were immersed in a demineralizing solution for 21 days. Finally, a VistaCam iX apparatus was employed to take fluorescent images from the specimens and the mineral content of the teeth was recorded. Data were analyzed with SPSS 20, using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests at a significance level of p value < 0.05. There were no significant differences in mineral contents of the teeth between the study groups at the application periods of 5 or 30 minutes (p value > 0.05). Comparison of the mineral contents of the teeth between the two application periods of 5 and 30 minutes indicated no significant differences in any of the study groups (p value > 0.05). Under the conditions of this study, the effect of MI Paste Plus, Remin Pro or NaF with the application periods of 5 or 30 minutes on preventing enamel demineralization was similar to artificial saliva.