Fluoride plus CO2 laser against the progression of caries in root dentin.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel combined with CO2 laser in protecting carious root dentin against further cariogenic challenges.


METHODS
After a 7-day lead-in period, 12 volunteers wore an intraoral palatal device containing four carious root dentin slabs, treated with APF and APF+CO2 or placebo and placebo+CO2. After a 14-day wash-out period, volunteers were crossed-over to the other treatment arm. During both intraoral phases, specimens were submitted to cariogenic challenges and then evaluated for cross-sectional Knoop microhardness.


RESULTS
Two-way ANOVA demonstrated that there was significant effect for both main factors: CO2 laser irradiation (P < 0.0001) and gel treatment (P < 0.0001), and that there was no interaction between them (P = 0.4706). Protection of carious root dentin against further cariogenic challenges may be provided by APF fluoride gel and CO2 laser, but no additive benefit was found by combining such strategies.
Department of Operative Dentistry, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, Universit of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Vivian
V
Colucci
Danielle Cristine Furtado
DC
Messias
Mônica Campos
MC
Serra
Silmara Aparecida Milori
SA
Corona
Cecilia Pedroso
CP
Turssi
D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005782:Gels; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010919:Placebos; D017213:Root Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D005782:Gels; D010919:Placebos; D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride; D013395:Sucrose