title: Remineralization and repair of enamel surface by biomimetic Zn-carbonate hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste: a comparative in vivo study.
abstract: Consumption of acidic foods and drinks and other factors that cause enamel wear are responsible for the daily enamel loss and degradation. Use of some toothpastes that have been showed to possess different properties of remineralisation and/or repair of the enamel surface may help to protect tooth enamel. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of toothpaste containing Zn-carbonate hydroxyapatite (CHA) nanostructured microcrystals may exert remineralization/repair effects of the enamel surface. Two groups of patients, aged between 18 and 75 years, used a Zn-CHA nanocrystals-based toothpaste (experimental group) and a potassium nitrate/sodium fluoride toothpaste (active control group) for 8 weeks. At the end of this period, extractions were performed in five subjects per study group. Negative controls consisted of two subjects treated with non-specified fluoride toothpaste. Teeth were processed for morphological and chemical-physic superficial characterizations by means of Scanning Electronic Microscopy with Elementary analysis, X-Ray Diffraction analysis and Infrared analysis. In this study, the use of a Zn-CHA nanocrystals toothpaste led to a remineralization/repair of the enamel surface, by deposition of a hydroxyapatite-rich coating. On the other hand, the use of both a nitrate potassium/sodium fluoride and non-specified fluoride toothpastes did not appreciably change the enamel surface. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the toothpaste containing Zn-CHA nanostructured microcrystals, differently from nitrate potassium/sodium fluoride and non-specified fluoride toothpastes, may promote enamel superficial repair by means of the formation of a protective biomimetic CHA coating.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician," Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Stomatology, Polytechnic University of Marche Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Putignano
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician," Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician," Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Ismaela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Foltran
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mangani
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Stomatology, Polytechnic University of Marche Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Procaccini
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician," Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Norberto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roveri
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Stomatology, Polytechnic University of Marche Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orsini
keywords: Zn-carbonate hydroxyapatite nanocrystals; enamel; fluoride; remineralization; repair; toothpaste