title: Effect of dentifrices on their remineralizing potential in artificial carious lesions: An in situ study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The eventual sequel of dental caries is determined by the dynamic equilibrium between pathological factors which lead to demineralization and protective elements, which in turn leads to remineralization. Remineralization is the natural process for noncavitated demineralized lesions and relies on calcium and phosphate ions assisted by fluoride to rebuild a new surface on existing crystal remnants in subsurface lesions remaining after demineralization. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of fluoride dentifrices in remineralizing artificial caries-like lesions in situ.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, randomized study with an initial washout period of 7 days was carried out for 3 weeks. Twenty volunteers were enrolled, who wore the intraoral cariogenicity test appliance having enamel slabs incorporated into them, for 3 weeks. 10 participants were instructed to use Group A dentifrice (fluoride) and the other 10 Group B dentifrice (nonfluoride) for brushing their teeth. The enamel slabs were analyzed by surface microhardness testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 3 intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences was seen in the microhardness values recorded for Group A and Group B at baseline and after demineralization (P > 0.05); however Group B exhibited lesser microhardness compared to Group A, after intra-oral exposure (P < 0.05). In the SEM analysis, the Group A enamel surfaces had more regular and longer crystallites to those of the Group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluoride dentifrices avert the decrease in enamel hardness and loss of minerals from the enamel surface to a large extent as compared to the nonfluoride dentifrices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Satyawan Gangaramji
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Damle
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Rayat Bahra Dental College and Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India; Ex-Post Graduate Student, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Aditi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bector
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Dhanashree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Damle
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Simranjeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaur
keywords: Dental caries; dentifrices; fluoride; tooth remineralization