Synergistic Effect of Arginine on Remineralization Potential of Fluoride Varnish and Nanohydroxyapatite on Artificial Caries Lesions: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

To evaluate the synergistic effect of arginine on the remineralizing potential of fluoride varnish and nanohydroxyapatite. A total of 100 teeth were taken; of them, 50 teeth were allotted for microhardness test and 50 teeth for scanning-electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Fifty teeth used for hardness testing were sectioned to obtain 100 samples, and the baseline hardness values were measured. Samples were allotted into five groups (n = 20): group I: arginine; group II: fluoride varnish; group III: nanohydroxyapatite; group IV: arginine + fluoride varnish; group V: arginine + nanohydroxyapatite. Microhardness values were measured after 96 hours of demineralization and then again after application of remineralizing agents (pH cycling) for 10 days to check for gain in microhardness. The other 50 samples were subjected to SEM-EDX analysis for evaluating gain in the mineral content after demineralization and after application of the remineralizing agents. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software version 22.0. The maximum mean microhardness values were observed in group IV and group V. There was no statistical significance between them. Similarly, maximum mineral gain was seen in groups IV and V. A significant increase in fluoride gain was seen in group IV. Arginine has a synergistic effect on remineralization potential of fluoride varnish and nanohydroxyapatite. The incorporation of arginine into fluoride varnishes and nanohydroxyapatite significantly increased their remineralization potential.