Comparison of the effect of fluoride gel and two toothpastes with different materials on remineralization of initial carious lesions in primary teeth

INTRODUCTION: Various types of toothpastes are claimed to be able to improve initial enamel caries. This study compared the effect of fluoride gel and two toothpastes on remineralization of initial caries lesions in primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of sixty-four sound extracted primary canine were immersed in demineralizing solution at 37°C for 96 h to produce artificial caries in vitro. Enamel pieces (3 × 3 × 5 mm) were prepared from each tooth and mounted in self cure acrylic blocks. The specimens were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 16) based on treatment agent (fluoride gel, Chitodent toothpaste, ReminPro toothpaste, no treatment as control) and underwent a pH cycling model for 10 days. Vickers microhardness (VH) was measured before and after treatment. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance and paired t-test by SPSS 18 (P < 0.05). RESULTS: No significant difference was found in VH between groups at baseline (fluoride group: 265.9 ± 44.8, Chitodent group: 282.6 ± 34.6, ReminPro group: 266.5 ± 26.6, control: 272.7 ± 32.5; P = 0.516). Microhardness significantly increased after exposure to ReminPro toothpaste (VH change: 24.1%, P < 0.001) and fluoride gel (VH change: 10.9%, P = 0.046), but no significant changes were observed in Chitodent (VH change: 2.8%, P = 0.635) and control (VH change: - 2.2%, P = 0.181) groups. CONCLUSION: ReminPro toothpaste might be effective in remineralizing initial carious lesions of primary teeth.