Remineralizing Effect of Child Formula Dentifrices on Artificial Enamel Caries Using a pH Cycling Model

OBJECTIVES: Although fluoridated toothpastes are among the most accessible fluoride sources for caries prevention, their remineralization potential remains questionable. This study sought to compare the effects of 5 different child formula dentifrices on remineralization of artificial primary enamel caries using a pH cycling model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty sound primary canine teeth were immersed in demineralizing solution for 96 hours to produce 100μm-deep artificial caries. The teeth were then longitudinally sectioned into 100–150 μm-thick slices and randomly divided into 5 groups and treated as follows: group A. Calcium phosphate toothpaste, group B. Pooneh children’s toothpaste, group C. Biotin toothpaste, group D. Crest children’s toothpaste and group E. Darougar children’s toothpaste. The specimens underwent a pH cycling model for 10 days. The degree of demineralization before and after treatment and its changes were evaluated under a polarized light microscope and a stereomicroscope and data were statistically analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc test. RESULTS: Stereomicroscopic analysis showed that only group C had a significant difference with other groups (P<0.001) and no significant differences were found between the remaining groups (P>0.05). Polarized light microscopic analysis revealed that in addition to group C, a significant difference was detected between groups A and B (P=0.02) and calcium phosphate toothpaste showed higher efficacy. CONCLUSION: All the understudy toothpastes had remineralizing effect but calcium phosphate children’s toothpaste had the highest and biotin toothpaste had the lowest efficacy.