EVALUATION OF THE ANTICARIOGENIC EFFECT OF NANO SILVER FLUORIDE ON DEMINERALIZATION OF ENAMEL IN PRIMARY TEETH (AN IN VITRO STUDY)

Abstract

Introduction: Fluoride varnishes have proven to prevent dental decay. Alternative prepa-rations that provide further benefits may be of interest to investigate. Aim of the study: was to compare the anticariogenic effect of Nano Silver Fluoride (NSF) with fluoride varnish (FV) on primary teeth enamel. Materials and method: Forty eight sound primary molars were coated with nail varnish, leaving squares of 4x4 mm then sectioned longitudinally in a buccolingual direction into two equal halves. One half received a treatment and the other half remained untreated to serve as control. Each half was considered as a specimen (96 specimens). The NSF group (n=48) was subdivided into subgroup Ia (n=24) treated with NSF and subgroup Ib (n=24) served as negative control, the FV group (n=48) was subdivided into subgroup IIa (n=24) treated with FV and subgroup IIb (n=24) served as negative control. Specimens were subjected to pH cycling then they were examined with Vickers Microhardness device and Polarized Light Microscope. Results: Percent difference in surface microhardness of subgroup Ia and subgroup Ib was 3.79±2.13, while the percent difference between subgroups IIa and IIb was 5.40±3.79. Using Mann Whitney U test, there was no statistically significant difference between the two values (P=0.81). The percent differences in lesion depth for subgroup Ia in comparison to Ib, and IIa in comparison to IIb were -36.36±9.54 and -37.30±16.67 respectively. The difference between both values was non-significant (P=0.86). Conclusion: NSF and FV are equally effective as anticariogenic materials that can limit enamel demineralization caused by cariogenic challenge.