methylcellulose and octacalcium-phosphate

The present study investigated the effects of fluoride (F) concentration, lesion baseline severity (ΔZ(base)) and mineral distribution on lesion progression. Artificial caries lesions were created using three protocols [methylcellulose acid gel (MeC), hydroxyethylcellulose acid gel (HEC), carboxymethylcellulose acid solution (CMC)] and with low and high ΔZ(base) groups by varying demineralization times within protocols. Subsequently, lesions were immersed in a demineralizing solution for 24 h in the presence of 0, 1, 2 or 5 ppm F. Changes in mineral distribution characteristics of caries lesions were studied using transverse microradiography. At baseline, the protocols yielded lesions with three distinctly different mineral distributions. Secondary demineralization revealed differences in F response between and within lesion types. In general, lowΔZ lesions were more responsive to F than highΔZ lesions. LowΔZ MeC lesions showed the greatest range of response among all lesions, whereas highΔZ HEC lesions were almost unaffected by F. Laminations were observed in the presence of F in all but highΔZ HEC and CMC lesions. Changes in mineral distribution effected by F were most pronounced in MeC lesions, with remineralization/mineral redeposition in the original lesion body at the expense of sound enamel beyond the original lesion in a dose-response manner. Both ΔZ(base) and lesion mineral distribution directly impact the F response and the extent of secondary demineralization of caries lesions. Further studies - in situ and on natural white spot lesions - are required to better mimic in vivo caries under laboratory conditions.

Topics: Acetic Acid; Animals; Apatites; Calcium Fluoride; Calcium Phosphates; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cariostatic Agents; Cattle; Cellulose; Dental Enamel; Disease Progression; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Durapatite; Fluorides; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactic Acid; Methylcellulose; Microradiography; Minerals; Temperature; Time Factors; Tooth Demineralization; Tooth Remineralization

The present mechanistic in vitro study aimed to investigate dose-response effects of zinc and fluoride on caries lesion remineralization and subsequent protection from demineralization. Artificial caries lesions were created using a methylcellulose acid gel system. Lesions were remineralized for 2 weeks using citrate-containing artificial saliva which was supplemented with zinc (0-153 μmol/l) and fluoride (1.1 or 52.6 μmol/l) in a 7 × 2 factorial design. Lesions were also remineralized in the absence of zinc and citrate, but in the presence of fluoride. After remineralization, all lesions were demineralized for 1 day under identical conditions. Changes in mineral distribution characteristics of caries lesions after remineralization and secondary demineralization were studied using transverse microradiography. At 1.1 μmol/l fluoride, zinc exhibited detrimental effects on remineralization in a dose-response manner and mainly by preventing remineralization near the lesion surface. At 52.6 μmol/l fluoride, zinc retarded remineralization only at the highest concentration tested. Zinc enhanced overall remineralization at 3.8-15.3 μmol/l. At 76.5 and less so at 153 μmol/l, zinc showed extensive remineralization of deeper parts within the lesions at the expense of remineralization near the surface. Citrate did not interfere with remineralization at 1.1 μmol/l fluoride, but enhanced remineralization at 52.6 μmol/l fluoride. Lesions exhibiting preferential remineralization in deeper parts showed higher mineral loss after secondary demineralization, suggesting the formation of more soluble mineral phases during remineralization. In summary, zinc and fluoride showed synergistic effects in enhancing lesion remineralization, however only at elevated fluoride concentrations.

Topics: Animals; Apatites; Calcium Fluoride; Calcium Phosphates; Cariostatic Agents; Cattle; Citric Acid; Dental Caries; Dental Enamel; Dental Enamel Solubility; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Synergism; Durapatite; Fluorides; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactic Acid; Methylcellulose; Microradiography; Minerals; Phosphates; Saliva, Artificial; Tooth Remineralization; Zinc; Zinc Compounds

The aims of this study were: (1) to correlate surface (SH) and cross-sectional hardness (CSH) with microradiographic parameters of artificial enamel lesions; (2) to compare lesions prepared by different protocols. Fifty bovine enamel specimens were allocated by stratified randomisation according to their initial SH values to five groups and lesions produced by different methods: MC gel (methylcellulose gel/lactic acid, pH 4.6, 14 days); PA gel (polyacrylic acid/lactic acid/hydroxyapatite, pH 4.8, 16 h); MHDP (undersaturated lactate buffer/methyl diphosphonate, pH 5.0, 6 days); buffer (undersaturated acetate buffer/fluoride, pH 5.0, 16 h), and pH cycling (7 days). SH of the lesions (SH(1)) was measured. The specimens were longitudinally sectioned and transverse microradiography (TMR) and CSH measured at 10- to 220-microm depth from the surface. Overall, there was a medium correlation but non-linear and variable relationship between mineral content and radicalCSH. radicalSH(1) was weakly to moderately correlated with surface layer properties, weakly correlated with lesion depth but uncorrelated with integrated mineral loss. MHDP lesions showed the highest subsurface mineral loss, followed by pH cycling, buffer, PA gel and MC gel lesions. The conclusions were: (1) CSH, as an alternative to TMR, does not estimate mineral content very accurately, but gives information about mechanical properties of lesions; (2) SH should not be used to analyse lesions; (3) artificial caries lesions produced by the protocols differ, especially considering the method of analysis.

Topics: Acetates; Acrylic Resins; Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; Animals; Apatites; Buffers; Calcium Phosphates; Cariogenic Agents; Cariostatic Agents; Cattle; Dental Caries; Dental Enamel; Diphosphonates; Durapatite; Fluorides; Gels; Hardness; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactic Acid; Methylcellulose; Microradiography; Random Allocation; Solutions; Time Factors; Tooth Demineralization; Tooth Remineralization