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Efficacy of Theobromine and Sodium Fluoride Solutions for Remineralization of Initial Enamel Caries Lesions
Author(s) -
Farnaz Farhad,
Sohrab Kazemi,
Ali Bijani,
Nilgoon Pasdar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
frontiers in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2676-296X
DOI - 10.18502/fid.v18i10.6134
Subject(s) - remineralisation , theobromine , sodium fluoride , enamel paint , dentistry , demineralization , saliva , chemistry , fluoride , buccal administration , nuclear chemistry , caffeine , medicine , biochemistry , inorganic chemistry
Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy of theobromine in comparison with 0.05% sodium fluoride solution for remineralization of initial enamel caries lesions (IECLs). Materials and Methods: Ninety non-carious extracted premolars were sectioned longitudinally into buccal and lingual segments. Caries-like lesions were induced in each segment using acidified gel.  Forty-five buccal segments were used for surface microhardness (SMH) test, and 45 buccal segments were used for energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The lingual segments were used as the control group for EDS and SMH test. The baseline SMH was measured with a Vickers hardness tester, and the baseline calcium content was analyzed by EDS. Each test group was divided into three subgroups for treatment with (1) artificial saliva, (2) 1.1 mol/L theobromine, and (3) 0.05% sodium fluoride. Remineralization and demineralization were done by daily pH cycling to simulate the oral environment. Samples in each group were immersed in treatment solutions for 1 min before and after the remineralizing cycle. After a 7-day cycle, the SMH test and EDS analysis were performed again. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post-hoc test, and paired sample t-test (P<0.05). Results: All treatments effectively remineralized the IECLs (P<0.05), and theobromine caused the maximum increase in SMH, which was significantly higher than the value in sodium fluoride group (mean value of 36.56±4.95 versus 23.25±3.92; P=0.000). EDS showed the highest calcium deposition in theobromine group (3.82±1.83wt%). Conclusion: Theobromine is an effective cariostatic agent, and can be considered as a safe alternative to fluoride in preventive dental care.

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