Cyclodextrin and TiF4 Nanocomplex on Enamel Demineralization

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a newly developed nanocomplex formed of hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin and 1% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) after distinct complexation periods (12/72 h) on demineralization of bovine enamel in vitro. Enamel blocks (n=60) were allocated in different groups: Mili-Q water, hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin, 1% TiF4, hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin + 1% TiF4 after 12 h of complexation and hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin + 1% TiF4 after 72 h of complexation. The samples were evaluated by surface microhardness, cross-sectional microhardness and micro-CT. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDX) were also obtained. Hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin + 1% TiF4 after 12 h complexation resulted in lower percentage of surface microhardness loss compared to Mili-Q water, hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin, 1% TiF4 and hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin + 1% TiF4 after 72 h of complexation group, with a large effect size (from 1.307 to 2.943) and high power (84.9 to 99%). All groups resulted in similar integrated mineral loss (ΔZ) obtained by both internal microhardness and micro-CT techniques. Enamel treated with TiF4 and TiF4 + hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin groups showed a TiO2 glaze-layer, while EDX evaluation identified Ti. The solution containing the inclusion complex of hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin + TiF4 with 12 h of complexation period demonstrated a significant ability to reduce surface demineralization of sound enamel under an artificial cariogenic challenge.