[In vitro analysis of an new saliva substitute (Saliva natura) on enamel and dentin].
BACKGROUND
Hyposalivation is an important chronic side effect of radiotherapy in the head and neck area, and patients often alleviate their symptoms using saliva substitutes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two commercially available saliva substitutes (Saliva natura and Glandosane) on the mineral loss of bovine enamel and dentin in vitro. An aqueous remineralization solution served as control.


METHODS
Each 45 bovine enamel and dentin specimens were prepared. Prior to (control of sound dentin) and after (control of demineralized dentin) demineralization (37 degrees C; enamel: pH 4.95; 14 d; dentin: pH 5.0; 7 d) one third of each specimens surface was covered with nail varnish. Subsequently, the specimens (n = 15) were exposed to Glandosane and Saliva natura as well as a remineralization solution for 14 days (37 degrees C). Specimens were examined using transversal microradiography.


RESULTS
Compared to Saliva natura and the reminerlization solution, Glandosane induced both significantly increased mineral losses as well as lesion depths of the enamel specimens (p < 0.05; ANOVA, Bonferroni). After exposure of the dentin specimens to Saliva natura a significantly increased mineral loss could be observed (p < 0.001), whereas no differences in mineral loss could be observed for the enamel specimens (p = 0.078; t-test).


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limitations of an in vitro study it can be concluded that Glandosane revealed a demineralizing potential on bovine enamel as well as on dentin and should not be recommended for dentate patients. Since Saliva natura has a demineralizing effect on dentin, a further improvement regarding the remineralizing capacity would be desirable.
Tschoppe
P
P
Poliklinik für Zahnerhaltungskunde und Parodontologie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Centrum 3 für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Charité--Universitätsmedizin Berlin. peter.tschoppe@charite.de
Meyer-Lueckel
H
H
Toll
R
R
Kielbassa
A M
AM
D000818:Animals; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000032:analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008852:Microradiography; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000473:pathology*; D014089:Tooth Remineralization / Q000379:methods; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000473:pathology
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; C022045:octacalcium phosphate; D017886:Durapatite