Caries prevention with fluoride and supersaturated calcium phosphate

Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the efficacy of a supersaturated Calcium and Phosphate remineralizing solution (SRS) in remineralizing incipient carious lesions and preventing or reducing the initiation of new caries in a population with therapeutic radiation (RT) of the head and neck area. Specific Aims: is to determine the incidence of coronal and root caries in a compliant (C) and non-compliant (NC) with SRS in RT population along with sialagogues and high concentration of fluoride. Material and Methods: 40 RT to head and neck subject's records of caries were reviewed. The mean observation time was 62 months. The first visit was considered the baseline visit. The same surfaces were observed on multiple occasions. Any changes from the sound surfaces to decay (incipient or frank) or filled at the subsequent visits was considered as an increment and any decayed surface found sound at subsequent visits was considered decrement. C and NC to the regimen were determined on the basis of self-administered questionnaire. Mann-Whitney Nonparametric tests were done to compare the C (n=24) and NC (n=16) groups. Results: The Coronal Caries Increment per month was .031 +/- .046 and that of the non-compliant was 0.144 +/- 0.145 (p> 0.0001) The Root caries Increment per month was – 0.0104 +/- .031and that of the non-compliant was 0.055 +/- 0.112 (p> 0.0006). Conclusion: The risk factors for caries are so great that fluoride alone may not meet the demand for the prevention of dental caries and reversals of already demineralized surfaces. The supplementation of supersaturated solution of Calcium and Phosphate along with Fluoride and sialagogues may be beneficial in decreasing increments and increasing reversals of decayed surfaces. To determine the effect of SRS, double blinded studies are needed.