Related Experiment Videos
Effect of aluminum concentration on dental caries formation in the rat
1Health Science Research Center, School of Health Sciences, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805-1499, USA.
Objective:
Topically applied aluminum (AI) reduced fissure caries in rats with indigenous microflora, but neither therapeutic activity nor concentration effects have been studied in animals infected with caries-inducing bacteria. This study investigated the effects of solutions containing various AI concentrations on formation of smooth surface and sulcal caries in cariogenically challenged rats infected with Streptococcus sobrinus.
Methods:
Weanling rats, inoculated with S. sobrinus, were randomly assigned to six groups which were topically treated twice daily with water (treatment control), a NaF solution of 100 parts/10(6) F (positive control), or AIK(SO4)2 solutions containing 100, 1000, 2000, or 4000 parts/10(6) AI. Rats were fed a high-sucrose diet and distilled water ad libitum for 10 weeks, then the molars were scored for enamel and dentin caries.
Results:
Relative to the water control, NaF and all AI solutions significantly reduced prevalence of both smooth-surface and fissure caries. Protection by AI solutions was greater on smooth surfaces than sulcal areas. AI treatments reduced smooth surface scores by 49-71% and sulcal scores by 27-53%. For all comparisons the protective effect of the 100 parts/10(6) AI solution was less than solutions containing 1000 parts/10(6) AI or more. NaF and all AI solutions also significantly reduced the extent of lesions penetration into dentin.
Conclusions:
Topically applied AI reduced the formation and progression of both smooth surface and sulcal caries and showed evidence of a dose response in a rat model infected with S. sobrinus.