Browsing by Subject "Tooth Remineralization"
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Item Ability of Caries Detection Methods to Determine Caries Lesion Activity(2019-12) Aldawood, Fatma; Ando, Masatoshi; Hara, Anderson T.; Diefenderfer, Kim E.Background: Non-cavitated caries lesions form due to acid diffusion and demineralization of enamel subsurface with an intact surface layer (SL). Caries lesions progress when the outcome of demineralization and remineralization processes over time is net mineral loss. Lesions that continue to demineralize are called active, while those that display no evidence of further demineralization are called inactive. Micro-computed-tomography (µCT) analysis provides objective non-destructive measurements of the thickness of the surface layer (SL) and severity of caries lesions. Aims: 1) To investigate if visual/tactile suspected active non-cavitated early white spot lesions present a thinner surface layer than inactive ones; 2) To investigate if there is an association between the thickness of the surface layer (SLT) and caries activity, as determined by QLF during dehydration (△QD); 3) To determine lesion severity by comparing lesion volume and maximum depth correlation with △Q value at 15 s from QLF during dehydration. Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted human premolars exhibiting non-cavitated approximal white spot early lesions stored in 0.1.-percent thymol/4C and treated with 5.0-percent NaOCl/30 min were included in the study. Fifteen active and 15 inactive lesions were determined by visual/tactile examinations by consensus of two experienced examiners. Roughness measurements (Ra) were acquired using non-contact optical profilometry. Two-dimensional minimum (2D-min), maximum (2D-max), average (2D-avg) SL and three-dimensional (3D) analyses, volume and depth of lesions were determined from µCT image analysis. A series of fluorescence images were acquired at baseline (hydrated), at 1 s, at 5 s, at 10 s and at 15 s by QLF. During image acquisition, surfaces were dehydrated with continuous-compressed-air. △Q and △Q/s (△QD) were calculated. Data were analyzed using two-sample t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients (p < 0.05). Results: Surface roughness of active and inactive lesions was not significantly different (p > 0.08). Overall lesion volume and depth in dentin were significantly larger in active lesions (p = 0.022, p = 0.009). SL thickness of active and inactive lesions was not significantly different (2D = 0.121, 3D = 0.080, 2D-avg = 0.446, 2D-min = 0.197, 2D-max = 0.122). △QD at 1s was significantly larger for active lesions (p = 0.046). ΔQ at 15 s of dehydration had a moderate positive association with lesion volume (r = 0.56). △QD had a weak negative association with SL thickness (2D-avg) and (2D-min). Conclusions: 1) Active and inactive non-cavitated lesions show no difference in SL thickness; 2) QLF during dehydration (△QD) does not correlate well with SL thickness; 3) ΔQ at 15 s of dehydration correlates moderately well with lesion volume and is consistent with caries activity assessed by visual/tactile examination.Item Effect of Bottled Water and Fluoride Toothpaste Usage on Caries Lesion Remineralization(2023) Qaw, Masoumah Samir; Lippert, Frank; Al Dehailan, Laila; Hara, Anderson T; Cook, N. BlaineBackground: The importance of fluoride in the prevention of dental caries has been well documented in the literature, as it inhibits demineralization of the tooth structure and enhances remineralization. One of the major public health policies to prevent caries is to provide the population with an adequate amount of fluoride through community water fluoridation. Nowadays many people drink bottled water instead of tap water due to its easy access, convenience, and low cost. Besides fluoride, other minerals present in tap and bottled water, such as calcium and magnesium, are also important in decreasing dental caries prevalence. However, our knowledge of the role of bottled water in caries prevention and especially when combined with fluoride toothpaste usage is still poor. Objectives: The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the effects of some bottled waters on fluoride toothpaste efficacy in enhancing caries lesion remineralization. Methodology: Early caries lesions were created in bovine enamel specimens and stratified into treatment groups based on Vickers surface microhardness (VHN). The present study followed a two (fluoride and fluoride-free toothpaste) by five (four bottled waters and tap water) factorial design. The treatment groups were bottled water with the following attributes: a) 309.9 ppm Ca/1.20 ppm F; b) 118.4 ppm Ca/0.16 ppm F; c) 1.00 ppm Ca/1.01 ppm F; d) 0.1 ppm Ca/0.04 ppm F, and tap water (48.7 ppm Ca/0.7 ppm F). The five water groups were paired either with 1100 ppm fluoride or fluoride-free toothpaste, yielding 10 groups. Specimens were pH-cycled for 10 days with the daily regimen comprised of twice daily toothpaste slurry, with four exposures to water in between. VHN was measured, again, and the difference calculated (ΔVHN). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA at a 5-percent significance level. Results: The two-way interaction between water and toothpaste was significant (p < 0.001). All groups except fluoride-free toothpaste/bottled water with 0.1 ppm Ca/0.04 ppm F (p = 0.411) had significant increases in VHN after pH cycling (p ≤ 0.023). Fluoridated toothpaste resulted in a higher rate of remineralization compared to fluoridefree toothpaste (all p < 0.001). Bottled water with 1.20 ppm F/309.9 ppm Ca exhibited the greatest extent of remineralization within fluoride toothpaste groups (p < 0.001) and higher remineralization than lower fluoride water in fluoride-free toothpaste groups (p ≤ 0.006). Within the fluoridated toothpaste group, tap water exhibited significantly less remineralization compared to all bottled waters (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, bottled water with higher fluoride and calcium concentrations might improve fluoridated toothpaste efficacy by enhancing remineralization of early enamel caries-like lesions.Item Effect of fluoride and abrasives on artificial enamel caries lesions(2012) Nassar, Hani M., 1979-; Hara, Anderson T.; González-Cabezas, Carlos, 1966-; Lippert, Frank; Fontana, Margherita Ruth, 1966-; Chu, Tien-Min GabrielHypothesis: The interaction between the abrasive level and fluoride concentration of dentifrice slurries modulates the surface loss (SL) and remineralization of incipient enamel caries (IEC). Methods: Three types of IEC were created and six experimental slurries with different combinations of fluoride content and abrasive level were tested. In experiment 1, the three IEC were subjected to brushing (with experimental slurries) and remineralization cycles for 5 days. Fluoride concentrations (0 and 275 ppm as NaF) and abrasive levels (Low and High) were tested. SL was determined by optical profilometry at baseline and after 1, 3, and 5 days. In experiment 2, changes in IEC mineral content (Δ(ΔZ)C) and depth (ΔLC) were investigated at baseline and after the 5-day cycling with transverse microradiography. In experiments 3 and 4, SL of MeC and CMC lesions were further studied, respectively; testing not only fluoride concentration (275 and 1250 ppm as NaF) and abrasivity (low and high) of the slurry, but also the brushing frequency (1x, 2x, and 3x/day). Brushing-remineralization cycles were performed for 7 days. Statistical analyses were performed at 5% significance level. Results: Experiment 1: overall, brushing with the high-abrasive slurry caused more SL than with the low-abrasive. For CMC and MeC lesions, 0 ppm F had more SL than 275 ppm F only after day 3. Fluoride had no effect on the SL of HEC lesions. Experiment 2: fluoride and abrasives did not have a significant effect on IEC. HEC had significantly lower Δ(ΔZ)C than CMC and MeC, with CMC and MeC not differing from each other. Lesion type had no effect on ΔLC. Experiment 3: brushing CMC lesions 3x/day with 1250 ppm F increased SL compared to 1x/day, after 5 and 7 days. Study 4: brushing MeC lesions with high abrasive slurry containing 1250 ppm F increased SL after 5 and 7 days. Conclusions: The IEC tested showed different SL and remineralization behaviors. The fluoride content and abrasive level of the toothpaste showed to be relevant modulating the SL of enamel caries lesions as well as their remineralization behavior.Item The Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride on Caries Lesion Remineralization as a Function of Lesion Baseline Mineral Distribution(2022) AlMady, Fahad; Lippert, Frank; Hara, Anderson; Al Dehailan, Laila; Capin, OrianaPurpose: The primary objective of this laboratory study was to investigate whether the ability of SDF to remineralize caries lesion is modulated by their baseline mineral distribution. The exploratory objective was to determine whether the staining caused by SDF is modulated by lesion mineral distribution. Materials and methods: This in vitro study utilized bovine permanent enamel specimens. SDF was compared to the clinical reference standard, 5% sodium fluoride varnish (FV), and deionized water (DIW) was the negative control. By utilizing three lesion creation protocols (methylcellulose [MeC], hydroxyethylcellulose [HEC], Carbopol [C907]), artificial caries lesions with different mineral distributions (n=20 per subgroup) were created in the enamel specimens Interventions were applied and the lesions remineralized using artificial saliva. Changes in mineral loss, lesion depth, mineral density of the surface zone, and lesion mineral distribution were determined using transverse microradiography. Throughout the study, color of the lesion and changes thereof were measured using a spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by using two-way ANOVA. Pair-wise comparisons were performed using Fisher’s Protected Least Significant Differences to control the overall significance level at 5%. Results: For changes in mineral loss, DIW in MeC showed significantly greater change (more remineralization) than both SDF (p<0.01) and FV (p=0.01), which were not different from one another (p=0.13). There were no statistically significant differences between SDF and FV in the other lesions (C907 – p=0.18; HEC – p=0.56). For changes in lesion depth, there was no statistically significant interaction between study factors lesion protocol and treatments (p=0.23) as well as the individual factors lesion protocols (p=0.08) and treatments (p=0.82). For changes in surface zone mineral density, SDF showed significant change in mineral density compared to FV (p=0.02); however, SDF was not different from with DIW (p=0.25). For lesion mineral distribution, MeC exhibited the greater mineral loss in the lesion body and lowest mineral density at the surface zone. HEC lesions were the deepest but exhibited modest differences in mineral loss between the lesion body and the surface zone. C907 lesions were somewhat between MeC and HEC. SDF in MeC had the highest mineral gain in the surface zone, while DIW resulted in the highest mineral gain in the lesion body. SDF in HEC showed the highest mineral gain in the surface area compared to FV and DIW, with all treatments resulting in the largest mineral gain to a similar extent in the lesion body. In C907, SDF showed the most mineral gain in the lesion body compared to DIW and FV, while differences in the surface zone between treatments were less pronounced. For color changes post intervention, SDF showed more darkening in C907 and HEC lesions compared to MeC (p<0.01) and compared to FV and DIW. For post remineralization, SDF treated C907 lesions became significantly whiter (p<0.01) compared to SDF in MeC and HEC which continued to get darker. Conclusion: SDF did exhibit different remineralization abilities and behaviors and the modulation was based on lesion baseline mineral distribution. Staining resulting from SDF treatment varied significantly based on lesion mineral distribution.Item The influence of baseline hardness and chemical composition on enamel demineralization and subsequent remineralization(2017-05-09) Alkattan, Rana; Ando, Masatoshi; Lippert, Frank; Cook, Norman BlaineBACKGROUND Several studies have reported that harder enamel with higher contents of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and fluorine (F) coupled with lower contents of carbonate (C), magnesium (Mg) and nitrate (N) was found to be more resistant to demineralization. Additionally, the hardness of dental enamel was found to have a strong correlation with its chemical content. However, yet to be established is the relation between the physical and chemical structure of enamel and its response to de- and remineralizing conditions. OBJECTIVES The aims of this laboratory study were: 1) To investigate the hardness and chemical content of sound enamel and their influence on demineralization; 2) To investigate these properties in demineralized enamel and their influence on remineralization; and 3) To investigate these properties in sound enamel and their influence on remineralization. MATERIALS AND METHODS Incipient subsurface caries lesions were created in 94 bovine enamel specimens using Carbopol C907 using three demineralization times. The specimens were then pH-cycled and treated using either 367 ppm F sodium fluoride or a placebo. Knoop surface microhardness (SMH), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Transverse microradiography (TMR) were performed on the specimens at all stages and compared between them. TMR variables included integrated mineral loss (ΔZ), Lesion depth (L) and maximum mineral density of the surface zone (SZmax). Data were analyzed using three- and four-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated. RESULTS SMH, ΔZ, L and SZmax were significantly different among stages, demineralization times and treatment. The weight% of F at the surface was significantly affected by treatment, irrespective of demineralization time. A statistically significant moderate correlation was found between SZmax and ΔZ and SZmax and L after pH cycling. SMH also correlated weakly to moderately with TMR data. CONCLUSIONS SMH and SZmax decreased while ΔZ and L increased with increased demineralization time. Both fluoride and non-fluoride specimens were able to remineralize, which emphasizes the role of saliva in mineralization. The Ca:P ratio remained stable at various stages, indicating the stoichiometric dissolution and redeposition of minerals. The greatest deposition of F was at the surface and its increase led to an increase in SMH and SZmax. SMH values showed that harder specimens at baseline and after demineralization remained hard after demineralization and pH-cycling, respectively, although this correlation was weak. Additionally, harder lesions showed less L and ΔZ and greater SZmax. RELEVANCE This in-vitro study will help better understand the caries process and the impact of physical and chemical characteristics of enamel on de- and remineralization challenges.Item Relative fluoride response of caries lesions created in fluorotic and sound teeth studied underremineralizing conditions(2013) Alhawij, Hala M.; Martilnez-Mier, Esperanza de los A. (Esperanza de los Angeles), 1967-; Lippert, Frank; Cochran, Michael A. (Michael Alan), 1944-; Soto-Rojas, Armando E.; Zandoná, Andréa G. Ferreira (Andréa Gonçalves Ferreira),1969-Fluoride prevents caries by decreasing demineralization and promoting remineralization of enamel crystals during lesion formation and progression. The chemical, morphological, and histologic characteristics of teeth with fluorosis may alter the response of enamel to fluoride during the caries process. However, the effectiveness of fluoride in fluorosed teeth has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the current study utilized an in-vitro net remineralization model to study differences between fluorosed and sound enamel with regards to caries lesion remineralization and progression. Hypotheses: There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of fluoride to enhance caries lesion remineralization between fluorosed and non-fluorosed (sound) teeth after changes in enamel fluorescence relative to the lesion baseline. Objectives: The primary objective is to investigate the relative fluoride response of caries lesions created in sound and fluorosed teeth of varying severities under remineralizing conditions in vitro. Secondary objectives: a) To investigate the impact of the presence and severity of enamel fluorosis on caries lesion formation, and b) To investigate the acquired acid resistance of pH-cycled lesions relative to their fluorosis severity. Materials and Methods: Three hundred sixty (360) extracted human molars (sound and fluorosed) were collected and divided into four main groups based on their TF score (0; 1; 2; 3), with sample size of n = 45 per group. Each group was divided into two subgroups: no fluoride/placebo and fluoride/treatment. Artificial caries lesions were created on the teeth and pH-cycled for 20 days using a net remineralization model. The lesions were assessed to determine differences in acquired acid resistance. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) was used throughout the study to determine changes in enamel fluorescence relative to a sound enamel window, thereby providing information about enamel de- or remineralization. The results of this study demonstrated that enamel fluorosis levels had a significant effect on lesion remineralization after pH cycling (p > 0.05). The teeth with moderate dental fluorosis had a significantly better response to remineralization and more resistance to a subsequent acid challenge than sound teeth in the presence of fluoride.Item Treatment of Enamel Demineralization Following Orthodontic Therapy(1997) Stoll, Lana R.; Garetto, Lawrence P.; Analoui, Mostafa; Dunipace, Ann J.; Hohlt, William F.; Schemehorn, Bruce R.; Shanks, JamesThe early-stage, carious, white-spot lesion is a common finding on teeth in patients who have received orthodontic treatment. Recently, a calciumphosphate (Ca-P) treatment was developed to enhance remineralization of white spot lesions. We hypothesized that a rinse containing the Ca-P would promote greater remineralization of demineralized enamel in vivo than a fluoride (F)-containing rinse or a placebo rinse. Thirty post-treatment orthodontic patients with demineralized white spot lesions on one or more of the six maxillary anterior teeth were selected and randomly assigned to three equal groups for a double-blind study. One group was given the placebo rinse. Another group was given a rinse with the same ingredients as the placebo rinse plus 0.055% F. The third group was given a rinse with the same ingredients as the F rinse plus calcium, phosphate, and magnesium salts. In addition, all subjects used a 0.011% F dentifrice before rinsing. Two different methods were used to determine the initial extent and subsequent de- or remineralization of the white spot lesions at the debonding appointment (baseline), and at one, three, and six months after the baseline reading: 1) visual inspection, in which two examiners estimated the severity and location of the lesions, and 2) quantitative laser fluorescence (QLF), in which the depth and area of the lesions were determined more objectively. Lnterexaminer agreement was almost perfect for the clinical exams. All three groups were significantly different with regards to reduction of number of white spots according to the clinical scoring. The placebo rinse group had the greatest reduction followed by the Ca-P group and the fluoride group. The QLF data showed no significant overall group differences for any of the measurements except total lesion depth. The placebo group had a significantly greater reduction of total lesion depth at the last examination than the Ca-P group (p < 0.05). The data suggested that different mechanisms may exist for remineralization of large and small lesions and that remineralization of a lesion with a lower concentration of fluoride, such as that used with the placebo rinse and the fluoride dentifrice, may result in greater remineralization of white-spot lesions.