Effect of dentifrice containing 5000 ppm fluoride on non-cavitated fissure carious lesions in vivo after 2 weeks.

PURPOSE

This randomized clinical trial compared the ability of two dentifrices, one containing 5000 ppm fluoride (Duraphat) and the other 1450 ppm fluoride (Caries Protection, control) to reverse non-cavitated fissure carious lesions.

METHODS

30 adults having occlusal lesions with DIAGNOdent values between 10 and 20 were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 participants each. DIAGNOdent measurements were performed after cleaning the teeth with cleaning brushes and after additional cleaning using an airflow device. The participants were instructed to brush their teeth three times a day for 3 minutes after the meals with a 2 cm line of their assigned dentifrice. After a period of 2 weeks, the teeth were cleaned again with the airflow device and laser fluorescence measurement was performed.

RESULTS

The group using the dentifrice containing 5000 ppm showed a significantly higher decrease in laser fluorescence (21%) over the test period than the control group (4%; P< 0.001; repeated measures ANOVA). The decrease in laser fluorescence in the test group was significant (P< 0.001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The difference between cleaning the teeth with cleaning brushes and additional cleaning with airflow before DIAGNOdent measurement was not statistically different (P> 0.05; Wilcoxon signed-rank test).