Profile of high-fluoride toothpastes combined or not with functionalized tri-calcium phosphate on root dentin caries control: An in vitro study.

Purpose: This in vitro study was conducted in two regimens hypothesizing that high-fluoride (F) toothpaste (5,000 µg F/g) with or without functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (f TCP) would provide additional protection against (1) root caries development and (2) progression. For both regimens, bovine root dentin specimens were used.

Methods: In regimen 1, 60 specimens were subjected daily to alternate immersions between demineralizing and remineralizing solutions for 7 days. The specimens were randomly distributed into four treatment groups (n=15) : non-F toothpaste; Colgate Total 12 (CT) (1,450 µg F/g); Colgate Prevident (CP) (5,000 µg F/g); and Clinpro 5000 (CL) (5,000 µg F/g) associated with (f TCP), and treated with toothpastes/water slurries (1:3 w/w) (5 minutes), twice a day. In regimen 2, the efficacy of the toothpastes to inhibit the progression of the developed lesions was assessed, using the previously described pH-cycling model without additional treatment. The response variables were based on the percentage of surface hardness change (ΔSH), cross-sectional hardness (ΔCSH), mineral content/lesion depth by transversal microradiography (TMR) and the alkali-soluble F uptake.

Results: Both high-F toothpastes reduced initial dentin demineralization and increased the F uptake compared to non-F and conventional toothpastes (P< 0.05). In terms of caries lesion progression, all tested toothpastes were able to promote this protection.

Clinical Significance: High-F toothpastes, regardless of the presence of f TCP, were more effective than conventional F toothpaste in inhibiting initial root dentin demineralization.