Remineralization of primary root caries lesions using an amine fluoride rinse and dentifrice twice a day.

PURPOSE

To assess the clinical effect of daily use of a toothpaste and mouthrinse, both containing amine fluoride, on primary root caries lesions (PRCL) in an adult caries risk population.

METHODS

A clinical trial based on male and female subjects, 55-81 years of age, randomly assigned into two equal groups (Groups A and B). Fifty subjects allocated to Group A used a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, (Elmex sensitive toothpaste, 1400 ppm F) plus a mouthrinse twice a day with 10 ml of a fluoride solution (Elmex sensitive rinse containing 250 ppm F). The fluoride used was amine fluoride and potassium fluoride (AmF/KF, 1:1). Subjects in Group B used the same fluoride toothpaste plus a placebo mouth rinse solution without fluoride. At baseline, a total of 420 PRCL were clinically recorded as either soft (score 3) or leathery (score 2). Parallel and blind recordings measuring electric resistance of the selected PRCL were performed at baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months using an electrical caries monitor (ECM). Prevalence of tooth sensitivity and subject's satisfaction was also measured in the two groups.

RESULTS

The clinical results showed statistically significant higher numbers of reversals of soft (score 3) and leathery (score 2) PRCL in Group A compared to Group B. After 12 months, the number of soft PRCL (score 3) decreased in Group A from 74% at baseline to 11% compared with 73% to 46% in Group B. After 12 months, 67% of the PRCL became hard (score 1) in Group A compared to only 7% in Group B (P < 0.001). Statistically significant higher (P < 0.001) ECM mean (sd) log10 resistance values were recorded for the subjects in Group A, 2.67 (2.56) kOhm compared to 2.12 (1.88) kOhm in Group B. Tooth sensitivity was substantially reduced after 12 months, by 56% in Group A compared to 20% in Group B.