Regenerative biomineralization potential of commercially available remineralizing agents as a preventive treatment approach for tooth erosion – An in vitro laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis

CONTEXT: In today's era, erosion is the most prevalent type of tooth wear. The prevention of demineralization with biomineralization is the most desired treatment. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the surface remineralization potential of two remineralizing agents – self-assembling peptide P11-4 (SAP P11-4) and calcium silicate plus sodium phosphate (CSSP) salts on intact and demineralized enamel using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixteen maxillary premolars were decoronated and split into buccal and palatal halves embedded in acrylic resin with a total sample size of 32 designated into Group 1 (intact teeth) and Group 2 (demineralized teeth). Further subdivision into Groups 1a and 2a (SAP P11-4 group [n = 8]); Groups 1b and 2b (CSSP group [n = 8]), Group 2 was first exposed to Coca-Cola. Then, all groups were subjected to experimental LIBS. Groups 1a and 2a were treated with SAP P11-4 based product, i.e., CURODONT™ PROTECT gel. Groups 1b and 2b were treated with CSSP-based products regimen, i.e., REGENERATE Enamel Science™ Advanced Toothpaste and Advanced Enamel Serum. The LIBS assessment was redone for all groups to attain a change in Ca and P values. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Inferential statistics were done using Wilcoxon signed-rank test (Before–After product application) and Mann–Whitney U-test (between the groups). RESULTS: According to the statistical evaluation there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05), in Ca and P values in demineralized teeth when both SAP P11-4 and CSSP groups were evaluated. Although Ca values exhibited a significant difference in intact teeth, P did not exhibit a significant difference on the application of both remineralizing agents. The remineralizing potential between the two agents, SAP P11-4 and CSSP groups. There was no statistically significant difference ( P <0.05) observed between the two agent's remineralization potential for intact and demineralized teeth. CONCLUSION: SAP P11-4 and CSSP have the potential to remineralize both intact and demineralized enamel. There was increased remineralization in demineralized samples subjected to erosion.