In vitro remineralization efficacy of NaF systems containing unique forms of calcium.

PURPOSE: To determine the in vitro remineralization potential of a new calcium phosphate technology in a 1000 ppm F system.

METHODS: 3 mm diameter bovine enamel specimens were mounted, ground and polished, and softened in a carbopol-lactic acid solution (pH = 5.0) for 36 hours at 37 degrees C. Specimens were then measured for baseline Vickers microhardness and stratified (N = 10, mean VHN = 35) into the following groups: Group A: distilled water (negative control); Group B: MI Paste Plus (900 ppm F); Group C: Theramed SOS (1450 ppm F); Group D: "control" dentifrice (1000 ppm F); and, Group E: "test" dentifrice (1000 ppm F) admixed with a new functionalized calcium phosphate system. The groups were then cycled for 10 days in a pH cycling model consisting of four 2-minute treatment periods (diluted 1:3 with distilled water) and one 4-hour acid challenge (carbopol-lactic acid, pH = 5.0) per day. Between these events, specimens were immersed in artificial saliva (pH = 7.0). After 10 days of cycling, the specimens were measured for Vickers surface microhardness and were subsequently microdrilled, with the powder measured for fluoride content using a calibrated fluoride-sensitive electrode.

RESULTS: Significant differences resulted between the distilled water and fluoride-containing groups. Among the fluoride-containing groups, Group B demonstrated statistically low levels of enamel fluoride deposition and deltaVHN, while Group E statistically outperformed Group D. Among the groups with different calcium systems (Groups B, C, and E), Groups C and E were found to be statistically equivalent and superior to Group B with respect to both bioavailable fluoride and deltaVHN. Based on our results, these data demonstrated the combination of a new calcium phosphate technology plus 1000 ppm F, produced significantly greater remineralization relative to both the 1000 ppm F test dentifrice and MI Paste Plus, and was statistically equivalent to Theramed SOS.