Objectives: The present study evaluated the effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and CPP-ACP with 900 ppm fluoride (CPP-ACPF) pastes on inhibition of enamel demineralization over time, using polychromatic micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).
Methods: Enamel blocks were prepared from bovine teeth. The specimens were each treated by one of the following agents, 30 min daily for 7 days: deionized water (negative control); CPP-ACP paste; CPP-ACPF paste; and NaF solutions (positive controls) (90, 900, and 9000 ppm F). After treatment, the specimens were immersed in a demineralizing solution (pH 4.5) for 24, 72, and 120 h. Mean mineral loss (ML) and lesion depth (LD) after each period were determined from mineral density profiles obtained using micro-CT.
Results: ML values in all the treatment groups were significantly smaller than those in the control group after 72 and 120 h of demineralization (p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA and t-test with Bonferroni correction). ML values in CPP-ACPF and NaF solution groups were significantly smaller compared to CPP-ACP group after 72 h (p < 0.05). LD values in the CPP-ACPF and all the NaF solutions groups were significantly smaller compared to the control group after 120 h (p < 0.05). The 9000 ppm F group showed the lowest nominal ML and LD values.
Conclusions: The application of CPP-ACP or CPP-ACPF pastes to sound enamel surfaces resulted in inhibition of enamel demineralization, and a better effect was noted for the latter paste. Quantitative assessment using polychromatic micro-CT demonstrated to be useful for detecting mineral density changes.
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