Remineralization Potential of Three Different Dentifrices using Raman Spectroscopy and Confocal Laser Scanning...

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the remineralization potential of three different dentifrices using Raman spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Materials and methods: Totally, 30 extracted intact impacted third molar teeth were selected and the crown of each tooth in a group was separated from the root and longitudinally sectioned into four parts with each section under a subgroup, of which one section was an untreated section, the second and the third sections were demineralized in a demineralizing solution, and the third section was remineralized after demineralization. The teeth in the three groups were demineralized for 4 days and then treated with 0.21% sodium fluoride dentifrice with trical-cium phosphate, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), and NovaMin for 14 days, following which the teeth surfaces were studied using Raman spec-troscopy and CLSM to assess the remineralization potential of the three dentifrices. The data were recorded and analyzed statistically. Results: Raman spectroscopic analysis revealed better remin-eralization with CPP-ACP, which was statistically significant from the groups treated with the NovaMin dentifrice and the fluoride-containing dentifrice.Confocal laser scanning microscopic examination also revealed significant differences between the three groups with the NovaMin-containing dentifrice demonstrating a greater remineralization of the surface when compared with the CPP-ACP dentifrice. The teeth samples treated with fluoride-containing dentifrice demonstrated the least reminer-alization among the three groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the demineralized samples of teeth treated with CPP-ACP showed the highest concentration of phosphate ions when analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, and the microscopic examination using confocal laser revealed a better surface remineralization of the demin-eralized samples when treated with the NovaMin technology. Clinical significance: There is a great need to find ways to enhance the remineralization process and transfer such knowledge into clinical therapy to alter caries balance for the better, especially in individuals with a high cariogenic bacterial challenge. Keywords: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, Fluoride, NovaMin, Remineralization, Tricalcium phosphate.