Effectiveness of fluoride-containing toothpastes associated with different technologies to remineralize enamel after pH cycling: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of fluoride-containing toothpastes with different technologies to remineralize artificial caries lesions in enamel. METHODS: Bovine enamel blocks were divided into three thirds: intact (untreated), demineralized (artificial caries lesion), and treated (caries lesion, pH cycling with dentifrices). Enamel blocks were randomly distributed into five groups (n = 12): Fluoride-free toothpaste, Colgate Oral Care (NC); Arginine-containing toothpaste, Colgate Total Daily Repair (PC); Silicate-based fluoride toothpaste: REFIX technology, regenerador + sensitive (RDC), NR-5 technology, Regenerate Enamel Science (RES), and NOVAMIN technology, Sensodyne Repair and Protect (SRP). The specimens were submitted to a pH cycling model for 6 days. The efficacy of the toothpastes was estimated by calculating the surface microhardness recovery (%SMH(R)) and the fluorescence recovery (ΔF(RE)) with quantitative light-induced fluorescence. The cross-sectional micromorphology of the enamel surface was also assessed using scanning electron microscopy. Elemental analyses (weight%) were determined with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The results were compared to that of the control (NC). Data were statistically analyzed (5%). RESULTS: %SMH(R) could be ranked as follows: RDC = PC = RES = SRP > NC. Significantly higher %SMH(R) and ΔF(RE) means were observed after enamel treatment with RDC (22.7 and 46.9, respectively). PC (%SMH(R) = 18.8) was as efficacious as RDC to recover the surface microhardness with a significantly lower mean of ΔF(RE) (19.5). Only RDC was able to promote the formation of a mineralized layer on the surface of enamel enriched with silicon on the surface. CONCLUSIONS: The silicate-based fluoride toothpaste containing REFIX technology demonstrated greater efficacy in the remineralizing artificial caries than the other products.