[Modification of the mineralizing capacity of a saliva substitute (saliva natura) on enamel in vitro].

Purpose: This in vitro study investigated the effects of exposure to modified (with respect to calcium phosphate saturation) solutions of a commercial available saliva substitute (Saliva natura) on mineralization of enamel in vitro.

Methods: Bovine enamel specimens were prepared. Before and after demineralization (pH 4.95, 14 d, 37 degrees C), one-quarter of each specimen's surface was covered with nail varnish (control of sound/demineralized tissue). Specimens were exposed either to original Saliva natura [saturation with respect to octacalciumphosphate (S (OCP)): 0.03, pH 5.8] or to three lab-produced Saliva natura modifications (S (OCP): 1, 2, 3, pH 6.0) for two and five weeks (37 degrees C). An aqueous solution (S (OCP): 2.7, pH 7.0; Buskes remineralizing solution) served as positive control. Differences in mineral losses (DeltaDeltaZ) and lesion depths (DeltaLD) before and after storage were evaluated from microradiographs.

Results: After two weeks storage no differences among the solutions with regard to DeltaDeltaZ and DeltaDeltaLD could be observed (p>0.05; ANOVA). Five weeks storage in original Saliva natura resulted in significantly lower DeltaDeltaZ values compared to all other solutions (p<0.05). No differences with respect to DeltaDeltaZ among the modified solutions (S (OCP) 1, 2, 3; p>0.05) could be observed, whereas storage in the remineralizing solution resulted in higher DeltaDeltaZ values compared to all other solutions (p<0.05). For DeltaLD similar results could be revealed. However, no differences between the remineralizing solution and Saliva natura S (OCP) 2 could be shown (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Saliva natura with an S (OCP) of 2 showed the highest remineralizing capacities. More pronounced remineralization could not be achieved with a higher S (OCP) of 3 under the conditions chosen.