Remineralization in vivo of Artificial Caries Lesions by a Monofluorophosphate Dentifrice

Abstract

Blocks of human enamel containing artificial caries lesions covered with Dacron mesh were implanted in the dentures of 14 subjects. Each subject, according to random design, was instructed to brush his/her teeth, with their denture in place, three times daily for 2 months using a sodium monofluorophosphate-dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (MFP/DCPD) dentifrice or a placebo dentifrice containing no fluoride, soluble calcium or phosphate. Every subject used both dentifrices in a crossover, double-blind design. Matched pairs of enamel blocks with artificial lesions were used, one of which was treated with a dentifrice and one kept untreated as a control. Statistically significant remineralization as determined by several parameters occurred in the artificial lesions treated with both the MFP/DCPD and the placebo dentifrices (p < 0.01). The MFP/DCPD dentifrice treatment reduced the depth of the lesion 19% which was significantly more (p < 0.01) than the placebo group (––3.0%).