In vitro effect of sodium trimetaphosphate additives to conventional toothpastes on enamel demineralization.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of conventional toothpastes (1100 ppm F) supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) in demineralization.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blocks of enamel were selected and then divided into seven experimental groups of 12: toothpaste without F and TMP (placebo), toothpaste with 1100 ppm F (1100), and toothpaste with 1100 ppm F supplemented with TMP-1 % (1100 1 % TMP), 3 % (1100 3 % TMP), 4.5 % (1100 4.5 % TMP), 6 % (1100 6 % TMP), and 9 % (1100 9 % TMP). Blocks were subjected to five pH cycles (demineralizing/remineralizing solutions) at 37 °C and treated with toothpaste slurries twice daily, after which the blocks were maintained for 2 days in fresh remineralizing solution. Following treatments, surface hardness (SHf) and cross-sectional hardness were determined for calculating the integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN). The fluoride present in the enamel was also measured.

RESULTS: The SHf and ΔKHN measurements showed that supplementation with 3 % TMP was the most effective (p < 0.001) and showed greater concentration of F in the enamel (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Addition of 3 % TMP to a conventional toothpaste (1100 ppm F) showed greater efficacy in reducing enamel demineralization.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fluoride toothpastes containing trimetaphosphate possess good anticaries potential required to reduce the prevalence of dental caries in high-risk patients.