Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Ca3SiO5 on reducing enamel demineralization under pH-cycling conditions.

 Methods Forty bovine enamel samples were treated under four conditions: group 1, double distilled water (negative control) group 2, 1000ppm F (as NaF, positive control) group 3, Ca3SiO5 slurry and group 4, Ca3SiO5–F slurry (Ca3SiO5 with 1000ppm F aq.). All the specimens were treated with treatment materials 4 times each day. Samples in groups 1 and 2 were soaked in test solutions for 2min and samples in groups 3 and 4 were painted in treatment slurry for 2min. At times between treatments, they were immersed in citric acid solution 3 times a day and 15s each time. All the procedures were repeated for 7 days. Knoop microhardness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atom force microscopy (AFM) were used to examine samples.

 Results After treatment for 7 days, enamels in all the groups were significantly softened. The extents of microhardness reduction were 52.3%, 28.5%, 28.5% and 20.2% for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Samples in the negative control group showed a typical acid etched pattern while enamels in other groups were relatively compact. There was no significant difference between samples treated with Ca3SiO5 and F. The combination of Ca3SiO5 with F showed the best effect on reducing enamel demineralization.

 Conclusions Ca3SiO5 is an effective material against enamel demineralization alone but in combination with F a better anti-demineralization effect may be obtained.

 Source: Journal of Dentistry

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