Remineralization effects of conventional and experimental ion-releasing materials in chemically or...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralization effects of conventional and experimental ion-releasing materials on different artificial dentin carious lesions.

Forty human dentin discs were submitted to different demineralization protocols for simulated caries lesion: (D1) Shallow chemically-induced caries, (D2) deep chemically-induced caries, (D3) deep bacterially-induced caries. Each disc was divided in five parts; one of those served as baseline control. The remaining parts of each disc (n=12-16/group) were treated using the following materials: EXP, an experimental resin-based bioactive material consisting of a self-etch primer and an adhesive containing a fluoride-doped bioglass; GIC, a glass ionomer cement (Riva LC); MTA, Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (ProRoot MTA); BIO, a calcium silicate cement (Biodentine). Specimens were mounted in a dual-chamber device to simulate the exposure to pulpal pressure and oral fluids. After 3 months, mineral and mechanical gains were assessed using transverse microradiography (vol% × μm) and microhardness measurements (VHN). Characterization using confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also performed.

All four restorative materials induced mineral gains regardless of the protocol for caries lesion, without significant differences between materials. Microhardness significantly increased in the groups BIO and MTA, but not GIC; EXP only provided hardness gains in D3-lesions. Fluorescence and confocal microscopy confirmed these results. There was a clear "top-down" remineralization in the groups BIO and MTA, and "bottom-up" intrafibrillar collagen remineralization in EXP.

Mineral gains did not always translate into hardness gains. Biodentine and MTA induced evident mineral precipitation, but intra/inter-fibrillar collagen mineral infiltration was only provided by biomimetic remineralisation via the use of the experimental adhesive. Complete remineralization of caries lesions remains a challenge.