The Efficacy of Soprolife(®) in Detecting in Vitro Remineralization of Early Caries Lesions

OBJECTIVES: This randomized controlled in vitro 4-arm trial study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SoproLife(®) in detecting and quantifying in vitro remineralization with early caries lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty human teeth were randomly assigned into four equal groups. Groups 1 and 2 were prophylactically cleaned; groups 3 and 4 were not. Group 1 received treatment with MI Varnish(®) and Recaldent™ for 30 days. Group 2 was treated similarly, but without MI Varnish(®). Group 3 was treated as 1 and Group 4 as 2. Mineral composition was obtained using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis SoproLife(®) camera images on the occlusal surfaces were analysed for grey value distribution and difference in mean intensity values (DI). Paired t-test and Mann-Whitney-U test were used for intragroup comparison between baseline and T1. Kruskal-Wallis followed by Mann-Whitney-U tests were used for inter-group comparisons at T1. RESULTS: All groups exhibited a significant increase in calcium content and calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (P < 0.05), except Group 4 (Group 1 showed the greatest increase, then Groups 3 and 2). Grey intensity values decreased in all groups (P < 0.05). Group 1 showed the greatest change in DI (16.82 [SD 12.07]), followed by Group 3 (12.46 [SD 9.41]), 2 (10.45 [SD 7.76]), and 4 (6.46 [SD 6.21]). The difference in DI was different between the compared groups (P = 0.038); Groups 1 and 3 exhibited a greater DI compared with 4 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, SoproLife(®) is effective for early detection and for longitudinally monitoring the remineralization after Recaldent™ therapy.