The effect of copper on demineralization of dental enamel.
Previous studies have concluded that copper might inhibit enamel demineralization in vitro. Our aim was to assess the effect of copper (Cu2+), with and without amine fluoride, on human dental enamel under cariogenic challenge in situ. In a double-blind randomized four-leg crossover trial, 14 individuals wore a removable appliance containing 2 enamel slabs, 1 containing an artificial caries lesion. During each leg, the appliance was exposed twice daily to one of the test solutions: 1.25 mM CuSO4, amine fluoride (250 ppm F), copper and amine fluoride combined, or a placebo (water). A cariogenic challenge was provided in all cases by 5 daily exposures to 10% sucrose. Slabs were assessed before and after 21 days' exposure by Knoop microhardness and transverse microradiography. Significantly less demineralization was observed with Cu2+ and fluoride in combination than with fluoride treatment alone (p < 0.05), whereas copper alone had no significant protective effect.
Abdullah
A Z
AZ
Paediatric Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. den2aa@leeds.ac.uk
Strafford
S M
SM
Brookes
S J
SJ
Duggal
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003300:Copper / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003743:Dental Enamel; D003747:Dental Enamel Solubility; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006245:Hardness Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008852:Microradiography; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; C094808:amine fluoride solution; D003300:Copper