Introduction: Nanotechnology offers new approaches and endless opportunities for remineralizing tooth decay without being toxic or causing allergies. This study aimed to determine the effect of nanosilver fluoride (NSF) on the remineralization potential of enamel caries-like lesions compared to 5% sodium fluoride varnish in permanent teeth. Methods: Fifteen teeth (molars and premolars) were gathered, cleaned, and polished using a scaler. After sectioning the teeth mesiodistally and removing the roots, the thirty specimens were subjected to a demineralized solution to induce early enamel lesions and then assigned randomly into two equal groups. The test materials were applied, and then all the specimens were subjected to a pH cycling model for 30 days. DIAGNOdent and surface roughness were investigated, and an evaluation of the enamel Ca and P weight% for Ca/P ratio calculation was done using SEM-EDX to analyze the specimens at the end of the study. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test. Results: The mean values for the DIAGNOdent measurements for NSF and NaF at baseline and after demineralization were not significantly different (p > 0.05). After treatment, NaF varnish showed a significantly higher mean DIAGNOdent measurement (11.8 ± 5.80) than NSF (4.7 ± 1.6). The mean surface roughness of the NaF group (1.64 ± 0.39) was much higher than NSF’s mean surface roughness (1.07 ± 0.21). Specimens treated with NSF had statistically significant smoother surfaces (p < 0.001). The NSF group had a higher mean Ca/P ratio (2.9 ± 0.35) than NaF (2.2 ± 0.11). This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.012). Conclusion: The study reveals that nano silver fluoride is a more effective treatment than sodium fluoride varnish in enhancing teeth’s clinical characteristics, particularly in terms of mineral content and surface roughness, suggesting it could be an improved strategy to prevent dental caries and maintain enamel integrity.

Bioactive glass, a material capable of precipitating hydroxyapatite in aqueous solutions, has the unique ability to bond with both hard and soft tissues without causing rejection. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of bioactive glass varnish to fluoride varnish in promoting enamel remineralization in extracted teeth. Thirty human premolars were collected, then cleaned and polished using a scaler. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally, and the roots were removed. The specimens were stored in a demineralizing solution to create early enamel lesions and then randomly divided into three groups: bioactive glass varnish, fluoride varnish, and a control group. The materials were applied, and all specimens underwent a pH-cycling model for 1 month. Enamel evaluation was conducted using DIAGNOdent, and SEM-EDAX to measure calcium and phosphorus weight percentages, and surface roughness was assessed. Data were analyzed accordingly. The results show that at baseline and after demineralization, there were no significant differences in DIAGNOdent readings among the three groups, but significant changes were observed within each group from baseline to after demineralization ( p ≤ 0.05). After treatment, the bioactive glass varnish group showed significantly the lowest DIAGNOdent readings, followed by the fluoride varnish group, while the control group showed the highest readings ( p ≤ 0.05). EDAX analysis revealed significantly higher calcium and phosphate mass percentages in the bioactive glass group compared to the fluoride and control groups ( p ≤ 0.05). SEM examination demonstrated a smoother enamel surface in the bioactive glass group, mild irregularities in the fluoride group, and pronounced roughness in the control group. Both bioactive glass and fluoride varnishes demonstrated a remineralizing effect on enamel surfaces. However, the bioactive glass varnish showed superior performance, with greater mineral gain confirmed by DIAGNOdent, EDAX, and SEM analyses. These findings indicate that bioactive glass varnish may offer an effective and biocompatible alternative to fluoride varnish for managing early enamel lesions.

Dental caries is a prevalent global oral health issue, necessitating effective preventive and treatment strategies. Silver diamine fluoride has emerged as a valuable tool for arresting carious lesions, but its drawback of causing permanent black staining raises concerns. This study explores the potential of potassium iodide to mitigate silver diamine fluoride -induced staining through repeated applications at different intervals. Sixty carious permanent teeth were divided into three groups: silver diamine fluoride alone, silver diamine fluoride with daily potassium iodide application, and silver diamine fluoride with weekly potassium iodide application. Color assessments were conducted using mean grey values at baseline, immediately post-application, and at 2 and 4 weeks. Results demonstrated that potassium iodide significantly reduced black staining when applied immediately after silver diamine fluoride. Daily potassium iodide application yielded the whitest color, surpassing weekly application. The findings suggest that integrating potassium iodide with silver diamine fluoride, particularly through daily application, offers a promising approach to minimize staining associated with silver diamine fluoride treatment, enhancing its acceptability and clinical utility.

Introduction: Sometimes carious lesions cannot be managed by caries removal and restoration, when there is no patient cooperation with the need to general anesthesia. Also, in pediatric and special care dentistry, there is often a need to stop lesion progression to allow individuals to become more able to cope with restorative treatment. One of the preferred dental treatments in these situations is applying silver diamine fluoride (SDF) SDF has main disadvantage which is the permanent black staining of carious lesions. To solve this problem, potassium iodide (KI) is used for reducing the degree of black staining in carious lesion. Objectives: The study aimed to examine the effect of repeated application of saturated KI in different time intervals. Materials and Methods: The study was experimental in vitro, included 60 human extracted permanent carious teeth. Teeth were divided randomly into 3 groups: Group 1(SDF only), Group 2 (SDF +KI applied daily) and Group 3 (SDF +KI applied weekly). Teeth images were obtained for color assessment; at baseline, immediately and after 2 & 4 weeks after application of tested materials. Teeth images were calibrated using ImageJ software and analyzed for the mean grey values. Results: It was found that there was high significant difference in mean grey values between the 3 groups; immediately and at the 2 follow up periods (P˂0.05). Group 2 was the nearest to the white color. Conclusions: KI application after SDF treatment was able to reduce the degree of black staining when compared with SDF alone. When KI was applied daily the color was significantly whiter than the color of weekly application.

Dental caries is a major public health concern among children, with Streptococcus species, particularly Streptococcus mutans, playing a key role in its development. This study aimed to compare the effect of alkaline water, chlorhexidine mouthwash, and tap water on the salivary Streptococcus count in children aged 10–12 years. A single-blinded preliminary clinical study was conducted on 60 healthy children aged 10–12 years. Three groups of participants were randomly assigned: one group used alkaline water, another group used mouthwash containing 0.12% chlorhexidine, and the third group used tap water as a control. Participants were followed for three weeks. Children with systemic diseases, orthodontic appliances, or recent use of antibiotics or corticosteroids were excluded. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention. Salivary Streptococcus counts were determined using standard microbiological techniques. After 3 weeks, mean salivary Streptococcus mutans counts (CFU ×10 ⁵ /ml) were 3.0 ± 0.36 in the alkaline water group, 2.1 ± 1.9 in the chlorhexidine group, and 7.9 ± 0.3 in the tap water group. Both intervention groups demonstrated significantly lower bacterial counts compared with the control group ( p < 0.001), while chlorhexidine showed significantly lower counts than alkaline water. Within the short-term limitations of this study, rinsing with alkaline water demonstrated a significant reduction in salivary Streptococcus mutans counts, although chlorhexidine showed lower bacterial counts after 3 weeks under the conditions of this study. These preliminary findings suggest its potential as an adjunctive oral hygiene agent, and highlight the need for long-term clinical trials to assess its effectiveness in caries prevention. Trial registration : The trial was registered with the Clinical Trial.gov (Number and date NCT06511336, 07/09/2024).