Effect of calcium pre-rinse and fluoride dentifrice on remineralisation of artificially demineralised enamel and on the composition of the dental biofilm formed in situ.
OBJECTIVE
This in situ blind crossover study investigated the effect of calcium (Ca) rinse prior to the use fluoride (F) dentifrice on remineralisation of artificially demineralised enamel and on the composition of biofilm.


METHODS
During four phases of 14 days, 10 volunteers wore appliances containing two artificially demineralised bovine enamel blocks. Three times a day, they rinsed with 10 mL of Ca (150 mM) or placebo rinse (1 min). A slurry (1:3, w/v) of F (1030 ppm) or placebo dentifrice was dripped onto the blocks. During 1 min, the volunteers brushed their teeth with the respective dentifrice. The appliance was replaced into the mouth and the volunteers rinsed with water. The biofilm formed on the blocks was analysed for F and Ca. Enamel alterations were evaluated by the percentage of surface microhardness change (%SMHC), cross-sectional microhardness (% mineral volume) and alkali-soluble F analysis. Data were analysed by ANOVA (p<0.05).


RESULTS
The use of the Ca pre-rinse before the F dentifrice produced a six- and four-fold increase in biofilm F and Ca concentrations, respectively. For enamel, the remineralisation was significantly improved by the Ca pre-rinse when compared to the other treatments. There was a significantly higher concentration of alkali-soluble F in enamel when the F dentifrice was used, but the Ca pre-rinse did not have any significant additive effect.


CONCLUSIONS
According to our protocol, the Ca pre-rinse significantly increased biofilm F concentration and, regardless the use of F dentifrice, significantly enhanced the remineralisation of artificially demineralised enamel.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry of Araçatuba, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araçatuba, SP, Rua José Bonifácio, 1193 Araçatuba-SP 16015-050, Brazil.
Ana Carolina
AC
Magalhães
Tatiana de Almeida
Tde A
Furlani
Flávia de Moraes
Fde M
Italiani
Flávia Godoy
FG
Iano
Alberto Carlos Botazzo
AC
Delbem
Marília Afonso Rabelo
MA
Buzalaf
D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D009067:Mouthwashes; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium