Enamel Demineralization Protection of Pro Seal™ after Tooth Brush Abrasion

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of sealant Pro Seal™ (PS) [Reliance Orthodontic Products, Inc., Itasca, IL] to protect human enamel from demineralization after undergoing simulated brushing for 2 years, 2 ½ years, and 3 years.

Methods: Seventy two human third molars were randomly divided into 6 groups of 12 teeth. The buccal crown surfaces of three groups received a coat of PS. Treated and control groups were assigned to each of the brushing durations: 15,000, 18,750, and 22,500 strokes. Abrasion was conducted in a tooth brush machine (Proto-tech, Portland, OR) using medium bristle Oral B brushes and non-fluoridated Crest tooth paste. After abrasion, the teeth were painted with acid resistant varnish, except for a small window of exposed enamel surface. Two or more microtome sections were taken from each tooth and lesion depth measured with Image Pro Express software. Comparisons were made with two samples t-tests. An alpha of 0.05 was chosen.

Results: Five teeth in the control samples were destroyed during sectioning. Mean lesion depths in ́ were respectively for PS and controls: 2 yrs, 8.3 ± 6.0, 153.5 ± 13.4; 2 ½ yrs, 13.6 ± 14.8, 104.3 ± 24.9; 3 yrs 11.5 ± 10.9, 158.1 ± 31.7. The data analysis showed that there were significant differences in mean lesion depths between control and treatment groups at 2 yrs, 2 ½ yrs and 3 yrs with p-values of <0.0001 for each brushing duration. The data indicated that the mean or median lesion depth in the PS treatment group was significantly lower at each time period than those observed in the control group.

Conclusion: PS greatly reduced but did not entirely eliminate enamel demineralization after all 3 brushing abrasion durations.

This research was supported by a Dows Research Award.