Evaluation of the Efficacy of Different Remineralizing Agents on Artificial Early Enamel Lesions of Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the remineralization efficacy of casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP–ACP) and 8% arginine on artificial early enamel lesions on primary teeth enamel samples. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, artificial enamel lesions were created in 120 primary teeth. Teeth were randomly divided into 5 groups: group C: CPP–ACP paste; group CF: CPP–ACPF paste with 900 ppm flour; group A: paste with 8% arginine; group K+: 500 ppm NaF as a positive control; and group K–: deionized water as a negative control. After 4 weeks of the remineralization process, the effect of remineralization on samples of agents used the microhardness, atomic force microscope, and scanning electron microscope analyses. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 20.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). ANOVA and Tukey Post-Hoc multiple comparison test were applied ( p < .05). Results: Increasing percentage values of the microhardness at groups C, CF, and A were significantly better than group K– ( p < .05), whereas there is no statistically significant difference with group K+ ( p > .05). The average surface roughness values of groups C and CF were similar with group K+ in AFM analysis, whereas average surface roughness values of group A were significantly higher than K+ group. Conclusion: The CPP–ACP, CPP–ACPF, and arginine are effective agents for remineralization of early childhood caries lesions.