Comparative evaluation of remineralizing potential of three agents on artificially demineralized human enamel: An in vitro study

INTRODUCTION: Remineralization as a treatment procedure has received much attention from clinicians. The objective of this in vitro study was to find out the efficacy of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF), and tricalcium phosphate fluoride (TCP-F) in remineralizing enamel surface on which artificial caries lesion had been created. The changes were analyzed using DIAGNOdent(®) (KaVo) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 premolars and 24 molars were selected and classified into four groups of 13 premolars and 6 molars in each: I (CPP-ACP), II (CPP-ACPF), III (TCP-F), and IV (artificial saliva). All the samples were assessed using DIAGNOdent at the baseline and after demineralization and remineralization. Ten samples were randomly selected from each group baseline after demineralization and after remineralization for surface evaluation using SEM. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that all the experimental groups had a significantly higher amount of remineralization except for group IV. CONCLUSION: All the three experimental groups showed a statistically significant amount of remineralization. However, because of the added benefit of fluoride (NaF 0.2%), CPP-ACPF (Tooth Mousse-Plus(®)) and TCP-F showed marginally more amount of remineralization than did CPP-ACP (Tooth Mousse(®)). Remineralization efficacy was TCP-F > CPP-ACPF > CPP-ACP.