Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries
Published on: March 31, 2021
Fluoride and trimetaphosphate association as a novel approach for remineralization and antiproteolytic activity in
Gabriel Pereira Nunes1, Marcelle Danelon2, Juliano Pelim Pessan1
1São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, Brazil.
Objective:
The study evaluated the effect of solutions containing fluoride (F) and/or sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) and F/TMP on the inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and on dentin remineralization in vitro.
Design:
Bovine root dentin blocks were prepared, and caries-like lesions were induced in two thirds of the surface. Blocks were then randomly divided into 13 groups/solutions (n = 10): Placebo; 0.3 %, 1 % and 3 % NaOH-hydrolyzed TMP; 0.3 %, 1 % and 3 % TMP; 250, 500 and 1100 ppm F; 250 ppm F + 0.3 % TMP; 500 ppm F + 1 % TMP and 1100 ppm F + 3 % TMP. One third of each specimen was treated with the respective solutions in pH-cycling. The mineral concentration (gHAp × cm-3 × µm) was determined by computed X-ray microtomography, and data submitted to ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls' test (p < 0.05). The ability of the solutions to inhibit MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was assessed by zymography.
Results:
F/TMP association led to less mineral loss in the deeper region of the lesion and reduced the depth of lesions when compared to its counterpart without TMP (p < 0.001). 3 % TMP (hydrolyzed or not), 500 ppm F and 1100 ppm F completely inhibited MMP-2 activity, while for MMP-9 such effects were only achieved by treatment with 1100 ppm F + 3 % TMP.
Conclusion:
Treatment with 1100 ppm F + 3 % TMP fully inhibits the gelatinolytic activity of MMPs-2 and - 9 and shows greater remineralizing capacity in artificial caries lesions in dentin. However, hydrolyzing TMP does not improve its anti-proteolytic activity and its remineralizing capacity.

