Clinical and experimental evaluation of the efficacy of a new remineralizing gel in the comprehensive treatment of caries and non-carious lesions in elderly patients

Abstract

Relevance. Remineralization therapy and fluoridation are well-established methods for preventing hard tissue diseases of the teeth across various age groups. Given the unique composition and structure of teeth in the elderly, there is a need for specialized remineralization and fluoridation agents tailored to this demographic.Materials and methods. A new remineralizing gel, formulated from a mixture of tetra- and dimethylglycerolates of silicon, was developed specifically for the prevention and treatment of hard tissue diseases in elderly patients. The clinical efficacy of this gel was assessed using enamel resistance test (ERT) values and electroodontodiagnostics (EOD) both before and after treatment. Laboratory analyses included the evaluation of phosphorus, calcium, and the Ca/P ratio in saliva using Mindray reagents. An experimental study on tooth sections treated with various remineralizing agents was conducted using a Tescan MIRA LMS scanning electron microscope, equipped with an Oxford Instruments EDS X-max80 attachment, to determine the chemical composition and surface characteristics.Results. The clinical application of the new gel resulted in significant reductions in ERT and EOD values, indicating its effectiveness. An increase in the calcium-phosphorus ratio in saliva further demonstrated the gel’s remineralizing properties. The experimental study revealed the highest fluoride uptake in tooth sections treated with the new gel, confirming its penetration into the hard tissues of the teeth.Conclusion. The new gel, based on a silicon glycerolate mixture, demonstrated superior efficacy in elderly patients compared to other remineralizing agents, which is attributed to the high conductive properties of its base.