Evaluation of the Anti-demineralization Potential of Fluoride-Free Bioactive Toners versus Fluoride-Containing Functionalized Tricalcium Phosphate Toothpaste on Dental Enamel: An In Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES

Preventive dentistry increasingly focuses on bioactive materials to combat enamel demineralization. This study evaluated the anti-demineralization efficacy of two fluoride-free bioactive toners (BATs)-BAT-1 (containing nanohydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate, and antibacterial agents) and BAT-2 (containing calcium phosphate and antibacterial agents)-relative to fluoride-containing functionalized tricalcium phosphate toothpaste (CPT).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Sixty human premolar specimens were prepared, randomly allocated into four groups (n = 15): BAT-1, BAT-2, CPT, and a nontreated control. The specimens were subjected to a 7-day pH-cycling protocol and treated with respective materials twice daily. Surface microhardness was measured at baseline and posttreatment to calculate the percentage of resistance to demineralization (%Rd) and anti-demineralization potential (%ADP). Structural and mineralogical changes were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and polarized light microscopy (PLM).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed via ANOVA (analysis of variance) followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc tests to identify significant differences among groups (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

While BAT-1, BAT-2, and CPT showed significantly higher %Rd and %ADP than the control group, their quantitative performance was comparable (p > 0.05). However, SEM analysis revealed that BAT-1 was superior to both BAT-2 and CPT in preserving enamel architecture and promoting mineral penetration. AFM imaging showed more densely packed and better-oriented nanohydroxyapatite crystals in the BAT-1 group. Furthermore, PLM confirmed that BAT-1 achieved the highest level of demineralization prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-demineralization potential of BAT was comparable to CPT. Remarkably, BAT-1 tends to preserve enamel ultrastructure and prevent demineralization progression. BAT-1 appears to be a promising fluoride-free alternative for the prevention of early carious lesions.