Effect of aluminum concentration on dental caries formation in the rat.
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.
Putt
M S
MS
Health Science Research Center, School of Health Sciences, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805-1499, USA.
Kleber
C J
CJ
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000535:Aluminum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016986:Streptococcus sobrinus / Q000187:drug effects
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D000535:Aluminum