EFFECT OF FLUORIDATED VARNISH AND SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE SOLUTION ON ENAMEL DEMINERALIZATION: pH-CYCLING STUDY

OBJECTIVE: In the present investigation, the anticariogenic effect of fluoride released by two products commonly applied in infants was evaluated. METHODS: Bovine sound enamel blocks were randomly allocated to each one of the treatment groups: control (C), varnish (V) and diamine silver fluoride solution (D). The blocks were submitted to pH cycles in an oven at 37°C. Next, surface and cross-sectional microhardness were assessed to calculate the percentage loss of surface microhardness (%SML) and the mineral loss (∆Z). The fluoride present in enamel was also determined. RESULTS: F/Px10(-3)(ANOVA, p<0.05) in the 1(st)layer of enamel before pH-cycling were (C, V and D): 1.61(a); 21.59(b)and 3.98(c). The %SMH (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05) were: - 64.0(a), -45.2(b)and -53.1(c). %∆Z values (ANOVA, p<0.05) were: -18.7(a), -7.7(b)and -17.3(a). CONCLUSION: The data suggested that the fluoride released by varnish showed greater interaction with sound enamel and provided less mineral loss when compared with silver diamine solution.