Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel interproximal fluoride delivery device, Cav-Aid^®, in remineralizing initial proximal caries, comparing it with conventional fluoride treatments. Methods: Initial caries lesions were produced on bovine enamel blocks by subjecting the blocks to a 3-day demineralization process by plaque growth in a mixed-species microbial caries model. After demineralization, the baseline surface microhardness (SMHb) was measured. The blocks were embedded into cavities prepared on the proximal surfaces of extracted human teeth to simulate natural interproximal contacts. The teeth were randomly assigned to six treatment groups (20/group): artificial saliva (AS), Cav-Aid^® only (CA), Cav-Aid^®/fluoride toothpaste (CA+F), fluoride varnish applied via flossing (FV-Floss), fluoride varnish applied via painting on the interdental cleavage (FV-Paint), and daily fluoride mouthrinse (F-Mouthrinse). The samples then underwent a 14-day pH cycling protocol to simulate remineralization conditions. The post-treatment SMH (SMHr) was measured. Statistical analysis comprised paired t-tests and ANOVA/Tukey’s post hoc comparisons (p < 0.05). Results: All fluoride-treated groups exhibited significant increases in SMHr compared with SMHb (p < 0.001). CA+F group showed the highest percentage remineralization (27.39%), followed by CA (22.16%), then the FV and mouthrinse groups (9.25–11.80%). The AS group exhibited the lowest remineralization (4.89%). CA+F demonstrated significantly greater remineralization than FV or mouthrinse (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between CA alone and CA+F. Also, there was no significant difference between CA alone and FV-Floss or FV-Paint (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limit of the present study, the Cav-Aid^® targeted fluoride delivery system demonstrated greater efficacy than FV alone in interproximal remineralization. Dual-modality fluoride treatments (CA+F) provided the greatest remineralization benefits, highlighting the importance of sustained fluoride exposure.

Background/Objectives: Dentifrice tablets are a new over-the-counter dentifrice form that are gaining global interest. The aim of this microbial study was to investigate the effectiveness of a dentifrice tablet (DT) containing nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) to prevent tooth demineralization. Methods: 120 bovine tooth blocks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (30/group): Nanohydroxyapatite DT (5% nHAP), placebo DT (Placebo), NaF toothpaste (1100 ppm Fluoride) and no-treatment (Control). Blocks were subjected to 7-day demineralization by plaque growth in a mixed-organism Microbial Caries Model. Toothpaste was made into slurry (1 toothpaste:3 water), while DT was thoroughly crushed and homogenized with water (1 tablet:3 water) to slurry. Both slurries were applied twice daily for 2 min on each occasion. Demineralization was assessed using Surface Microhardness (SMH) testing before and after plaque exposure. Change (ΔSMH) and percentage change (%∆SMH) in SMH (percentage demineralization [%Dem]), and % demineralization inhibition (%Dem-Inhibition) in each group were calculated. Intra-group (SMH) comparison (paired t-test) and intergroup (%∆SMH) comparison (ANOVA/Tukey’s test) were conducted (α = 0.05). Results: The paired t-test indicated a significant difference (p < 0.001) between pre-treatment and post-treatment SMH in all groups. The intergroup comparison based on their %Dem using ANOVA/Tukey’s test showed that Control (29.93 ± 5.58) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher %Dem than Placebo (22.81 ± 7.47, p < 0.05), nHAP (13.93 ± 11.31, p < 0.001) and Fluoride (14.44 ± 10.65, p < 0.001). The Placebo had significantly (p < 0.01) higher %Dem than nHAP and Fluoride. No significant difference between nHAP and Fluoride. Intergroup comparison based on their %Dem-Inhibition (calculated relative to the control) using ANOVA/Tukey’s test, nHAP (51.74 ± 40.05, p < 0.01) and Fluoride (50.56 ± 37.21, p < 0.05) had significantly higher %Dem-Inhibition than Placebo tablet (21.86 ± 5.55). No significant difference in %Dem-Inhibition between nHAP and Fluoride. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that dentifrice tablets containing 5% nanohydroxyapatite are as effective as NaF toothpastes containing 1100 ppm fluoride in preventing tooth demineralization.

Objective: In vitro study compared the efficacy in remineralizing initial caries of dentifrice containing natural hydroxyapatite (natHAP), synthetic HAP (synHAP), and fluoride. Methods: Initial carious lesions were created on 105 bovine enamel blocks by 4-day demineralization in a microbial caries model inoculated and fed 3× daily with 10% sucrose (6 min/episode). The caries-bearing blocks were stratified across seven treatment groups (N = 15/group); 20% nat-nHAP tooth powder, 20% nat-nHAP toothpaste, 30% nat-nHAP toothpaste, 20% nat-microHAP toothpaste, 15% syn-nHAP, fluoride (1100 ppm) toothpaste (NaF), and artificial saliva (AS) were used, and the groups were subjected to 28-day remineralization using a standardized pH cycling model with a daily regimen consisting of three 2 min toothpaste slurry treatments and one 2 h acidic challenge, and AS storage for the rest of the day. Surface microhardness of each block was measured after demineralization and after remineralization. Statistical analyses were performed using a paired t-test and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results: All groups induced significant (p < 0.001) remineralization. The %Rem was significantly lower for AS (9.61 ± 6.17%) than 30% nat-nHAP (29.21 ± 16.47%) and fluoride (27.05 ± 10.9%) toothpastes. There were no significant differences in %Rem among the natHAP formulations or between natHap and synHAP formulations. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present in vitro study, dentifrices based on natHAP or synHAP have comparable efficacy to standard fluoride toothpaste in remineralizing initial caries.

Objective: To investigate the influence of chitosan-based nano-silver fluoride (CNSF) treatment of tooth tissues on shear bond strength (SBS) of resin composite (RC) and resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) restorations. Methods: 90 extracted human molars were collected. Specimens were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 30): non-pretreated (NPT) pretreated with either CNSF or silver diamine fluoride (SDF). Each group was subdivided into two restorative subgroups (n = 15): RC and RMGI. Specimens in CNSF and SDF groups were pretreated with CNSF or SDF per their manufacturer’s instructions. Then specimens in RC subgroups were etched, treated with chlorhexidine cleanser, followed by adhesive application. Specimens in RMGI subgroups were treated with cavity conditioner only. A cylindrical restoration (2.38 mm θ × 2 mm height) of RC or RMGI restoration was fabricated with a standardized mold and light-cured on all specimens. After 5000 times of thermocycling between 5 °C and 55 °C with dwell times of 30 s intervals, SBS was measured using the Ultradent UltraTester. Data was analyzed statistically (α = 0.05) using ANOVA/Tukey’s comparisons. Results: No statistically significant difference in SBS among RC restorations in the three treatment groups: NPT (17.48 ± 3.96), CNSF (18.38 ± 5.59), and SDF (14.03 ± 6.56). For RMGI restorations, SBS was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in NPT (15.99 ± 3.59) compared to CNSF-treated (11.45 ± 5.48), but there was no significant difference between NPT and SDF-treated (14.27 ± 2.17) or between SDF- and CNSF-treated groups. Conclusions: No difference in SBS of resin composite restorations when the dentin tissue is pretreated with either chitosan-based nano-silver fluoride or silver diamine fluoride. However, SBS of RMGI was lowered when the dentin tissue was pretreated with CNSF.

Background/Objectives: The present study investigated the effects on the mechanical and physical properties of PMMA when organoselenium was incorporated into it as antifungal at different concentrations. Methods: 141 PMMA rectangle samples were fabricated using a heat compression packing technique and assigned to 3 experimental groups (47/group): 0% organoselenium (control), 0.5% organoselenium (0.5% SE), and 1% organoselenium (1% SE). Each sample was post-processed and stored in water. A three-point bend test was performed to assess elastic modulus and flexural stress. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the exterior and interior surface topography. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. Results: The mean flexure stress for the 0% samples was statistically significantly higher than those of the 0.5% samples and the 1% samples (p<.001). The mean elastic modulus for the 0% group was statistically significantly higher than those of the 0.5% group and the 1% group (p<.001). Under SEM, the 0.5% samples were smoother with fewer voids and irregularities. Conclusions: The incorporation of organoselenium into PMMA denture base negatively affected its physical and mechanical properties.

Background/Objectives: Dentifrice tablets are a new over-the-counter dentifrice form that are gaining global interest. The aim of this microbial study was to investigate the effectiveness of dentifrice tablet (DT) containing nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) to prevent tooth demineralization. Methods: 120 bovine tooth blocks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (30/group): Nanohydroxyapatite DT (5% nHAP), placebo DT (Placebo), NaF toothpaste (1100ppm Fluoride), and no-treatment (Control). Blocks were subjected to 7-day demineralization by plaque growth in a mixed-organism Microbial Caries Model. Toothpaste was made into slurry (1 toothpaste:3 water), while DT was thoroughly crushed and homogenized with water (1 tablet:3 water) to slurry. Both slurries were applied twice daily for 2 minutes on each occasion. Demineralization was assessed using Surface Microhardness (SMH) testing before and after plaque exposure. Change (ΔSMH) and percentage change (%∆SMH) in SMH (percentage demineralization [%Dem]), and % demineralization inhibition (%Dem-Inhibition) in each group were calculated. Intra-group (SMH) comparison (paired t-test) and intergroup (%∆SMH) comparison (ANOVA/Tukey’s test) were conducted (α=0.05). Results: Paired t-test indicated significant difference (p<.001) between pre-treatment and post-treatment SMH in all groups. Intergroup comparison based on their %Dem using ANOVA/Tukey’s test showed that Control (29.93±5.58) had significantly (p<.05) higher %Dem than Placebo (22.81±7.47, p<.05), nHAP (13.93±11.31, p<.001), and Fluoride (14.44±10.65, p<.001). Placebo had significantly (p<.01) higher %Dem than nHAP and Fluoride. No significant difference between nHAP and Fluoride. Intergroup comparison based on their %Dem-Inhibition (calculated relative to the control) using ANOVA/Tukey’s test, nHAP (51.74±40.05, p<.01) and Fluoride (50.56±37.21, p<.05) had significantly higher %Dem-Inhibition than Placebo tablet (21.86±5.55). No significant difference in %Dem-Inhibition between nHAP and Fluoride. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that dentifrice tablets containing 5% nanohydroxyapatite are as effective as NaF toothpastes containing 1100 ppm fluoride in preventing tooth demineralization.