Effect of bamboo salt-NaF dentifrice on enamel remineralization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the laboratory remineralization effects of a dentifrice with bamboo salt and NaF on artificial caries-like enamel lesions, at both the surface and deep areas. METHODS: Early dental caries lesions were formed by treating bovine enamel samples for 48 hours at 37 degrees C with a demineralization solution (pH 5.0) containing 0.1 M lactic acid, 0.2% Carbopol 907, and 50% saturated calcium phosphate tribasic. pH cycling was then performed by immersing the samples in dentifrice slurry for 2 minutes every 8 hours per day, and in demineralization solution for 4 hours and mixed saliva for the remaining time period. The mixed saliva consisted of 50% human saliva and 50% artificial saliva. The surface hardness and the level of mineral surface alterations were analyzed using a hardness tester and transversal microradiography, among negative control (fluoride free), positive control (sodium fluoride 1100 ppm, Crest Cavity Protection), and test dentifrice (3.0% bamboo salt with sodium fluoride 1,000 ppm) groups. RESULTS: Test and positive control groups significantly increased the level of the surface hardness and decreased mineral loss of the artificial caries-like enamel lesions compared to the negative control (P<0.05). The test dentifrice also significantly decreased the lesion depth compared to the other two groups (P<0.05).