Comparative Evaluation of Root Caries Remineralization Effect of Plain Milk, 5 ppm of Fluoridated Milk, and 5 ppm of Sodium Fluoride in Deionized Water Using Surface Microhardness Test: An In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND: There is an increase in longevity of teeth retained in elderly population, leading to increased risk of root caries. Therefore, new and affordable preventive strategies are in need to reduce this problem. Hence, the aim and objective of the study was to assess and compare the root caries remineralization effect of plain milk, 5ppm of fluoridated milk, and 5ppm of NaF in deionized water. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was an in vitro experimental design. Sixty root samples were divided into five groups (sound root, demineralized root treated in deionized water, plain milk, 5-ppm fluoridated milk, and 5-ppm fluoridated deionized water) of 12 samples each after baseline surface microhardness analysis and standardization was carried out in the study. All groups except the sound root were subjected to demineralization procedure for 4 days at 37°C. The demineralized four groups were treated to test solutions and subjected to pH cycling for 14 days. This was followed with assessment of postintervention surface microhardness. Student’s paired t test was used for comparing surface within groups. One-way analysis of variance test and post hoc Tukey’s test were conducted for between groups’ comparison. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between groups (P < 0.05). The results of post hoc showed that significant difference was found between the group sound root and demineralized treated with 5-ppm fluoridated milk and 5-ppm fluoridated deionized water with an effect size of 2.15 and 2.87, with CI (–26.8 to –8.1) and (–36 to –17.3), respectively. There was a significant difference in all the groups when compared within the group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Plain milk, 5-ppm fluoridated milk, and 5-ppm fluoridated deionized water showed remineralizing potential against demineralized in vitro root caries samples. 5-ppm fluoridated deionized water and 5-ppm fluoridated milk have a better effect compared to plain milk.