Subsurface enamel remineralization by Lyophilized Moringa leaf extract loaded varnish

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate enamel remineralization using lyophilized extract from Moringa Oleifera Leaves (MOL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of seventy-five teeth were selected and randomly divided into 5 equal groups (n = 15). All teeth were air dried for 30 s, two windows (right and left) were drawn on the labial surface of each tooth. The right window was set as the control and no etching or treatment was performed. The left window was etched for 30 s for all five groups. After etching, group I received no treatment, group II received plain varnish, group III received fluoride varnish, and finally groups IV and V received plain varnish loaded with 50 mg/ml and 200 mg/ml of lyophilized MOL extract respectively. All samples were then immersed in artificial saliva for 14 days. The specimens were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX). RESULTS: SEM micrographs revealed that MOL extract loaded-varnish groups IV & V showed the most re-establishment of normal enamel architecture. Elemental analysis of the treated surfaces of Groups IV and V showed the surfaces treated by MOL loaded-varnish groups had significantly higher Ca, P, and O deposition than the fluoride varnish group. CONCLUSION: MOL might be considered as a biomimetic material capable of guiding enamel tissue remineralization.