Effect of fluoridated varnish and silver diamine fluoride solution on enamel demineralization: pH-cycling study.

Objective: In the present investigation, the anticariogenic effect of fluoride released by two products commonly applied in infants was evaluated.

Methods: Bovine sound enamel blocks were randomly allocated to each one of the treatment groups: control (C), varnish (V) and diamine silver fluoride solution (D). The blocks were submitted to pH cycles in an oven at 37 degrees C. Next, surface and cross-sectional microhardness were assessed to calculate the percentage loss of surface microhardness (%SML) and the mineral loss (deltaZ). The fluoride present in enamel was also determined.

Results: F/Px10(-3) (ANOVA, p<0.05) in the 1st layer of enamel before pH-cycling were (C, V and D): 1.61; 21.59 and 3.98. The %SMH (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05) were: -64.0, -45.2 and -53.1. %deltaZ values (ANOVA, p<0.05) were: -18.7 feminine, -7.7 and -17.3 feminine.

Conclusion: The data suggested that the fluoride released by varnish showed greater interaction with sound enamel and provided less mineral loss when compared with silver diamine solution.