title: Effect of fluoride toothpastes on enamel demineralization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It was the aim of this study to investigate the effect of four different toothpastes with differing fluoride compounds on enamel remineralization.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3 x 3 mm window on the enamel surface of 90 human premolars was demineralized in a hydroxyethylcellulose solution at pH 4.8. The teeth were divided into 6 groups and the lower half of the window was covered with varnish serving as control. The teeth were immersed in a toothpaste slurry containing: placebo tooth paste (group 1); remineralization solution (group 2); Elmex Anticaries (group 3); Elmex Sensitive (group 4); Blend-a-med Complete (group 5) and Colgate GRF (group 6). Ten teeth of each group were used for the determination of the F- content in the superficial enamel layer and acid solubility of enamel expressed in soluble phosphorus. Of 6 teeth of each group serial sections were cut and investigated with polarization light microscopy (PLM) and quantitative energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PLM results showed an increased remineralization of the lesion body in the Elmex Anticaries, Elmex Sensitive and Colgate GRF group but not in the Blend-a-med group. A statistically significant higher Ca content was found in the Elmex Anticaries group. The fluoride content in the superficial enamel layer was significantly increased in both Elmex groups and the Blend-a-med group. Phosphorus solubility was significantly decreased in both Elmex groups and the Blend-a-med group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that amine fluoride compounds in toothpastes result in a clearly marked remineralization of caries like enamel lesions followed by sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate formulations.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany. wolfa@uni-wh.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dorow
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Langenhorst
authors.forename: Zeno
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gintner
authors.forename: Jolan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bánóczy
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaengler