In vitro anti-erosion efficacy of a modified Fluoride Dentifrice

Current strategies for the prevention and treatment of dental erosion in non-severe cases focus on the regular use of fluoride-containing dentifrice formulations. Research suggests however that combinations of minerals such as calcium and fluoride may provide greater benefit than that of fluoride alone. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of a dentifrice formulation containing 1150 ppm fluoride, with and without added calcium nanoalloy particles, to remineralize artificial erosive lesions in enamel. METHODS: 3mm diameter bovine enamel specimens were ground and polished and initially softened in 1% citric acid (pH = 3.8) for 30 minutes (22°C). Specimens (N=12) were then stratified (mean VHN = 214) into the following groups: (a) distilled water, (b) 1150 ppm F dentifrice, and 1150 ppm F dentifrice containing either (c) 0.1% or (d) 0.3% calcium nanoalloy, and cycled in a model consisting of three two-minute treatments (diluted 1:3 with artificial saliva) and five two-minute acid challenges (1% citric acid, pH = 3.8) per day. Between these events, specimens were immersed in artificial saliva. Surface microhardness and fluoride uptake were measured after 20 days of cycling and after a subsequent 11-minute acid challenge. RESULTS: Mean surface microhardness (ΔVHN) recoveries (±SEM) were (a) 22.6 ± 3.4, (b) 69.0 ± 4.6, (c) 74.1 ± 6.0, and (d) 94.1 ± 5.3 with a < b ≤ c < d (ANOVA, Tukey test, p<0.05). Fluoride uptake (µgF/cm³) measurements (±SEM) were (a) 220.6 ± 17.9, (b) 506.1 ± 58.0, (c) 517.6 ± 54.0, and (d) 773.5 ± 51.7 with a < b = c < d (ANOVA, Tukey test, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 1150 ppm F dentifrice containing 0.3% calcium nanoalloy exhibited statistically greater remineralization of artificially eroded enamel than the 1150 ppm F dentifrice alone, and also encouraged higher levels of fluoride uptake. Therefore, addition of low levels of calcium nanoalloy to fluoride-containing dentifrice formulations may improve their anti-erosion efficacy.

This work was supported through a grant from GlaxoSmithKline.