[Modification of the mineralizing capacity of a saliva substitute (saliva natura) on enamel in vitro].

PURPOSE

This in vitro study investigated the effects of exposure to modified (with respect to calcium phosphate saturation) solutions of a commercial available saliva substitute (Saliva natura) on mineralization of enamel in vitro.

METHODS

Bovine enamel specimens were prepared. Before and after demineralization (pH 4.95, 14 d, 37 degrees C), one-quarter of each specimen's surface was covered with nail varnish (control of sound/demineralized tissue). Specimens were exposed either to original Saliva natura [saturation with respect to octacalciumphosphate (S (OCP)): 0.03, pH 5.8] or to three lab-produced Saliva natura modifications (S (OCP): 1, 2, 3, pH 6.0) for two and five weeks (37 degrees C). An aqueous solution (S (OCP): 2.7, pH 7.0; Buskes remineralizing solution) served as positive control. Differences in mineral losses (DeltaDeltaZ) and lesion depths (DeltaLD) before and after storage were evaluated from microradiographs.

RESULTS

After two weeks storage no differences among the solutions with regard to DeltaDeltaZ and DeltaDeltaLD could be observed (p>0.05; ANOVA). Five weeks storage in original Saliva natura resulted in significantly lower DeltaDeltaZ values compared to all other solutions (p<0.05). No differences with respect to DeltaDeltaZ among the modified solutions (S (OCP) 1, 2, 3; p>0.05) could be observed, whereas storage in the remineralizing solution resulted in higher DeltaDeltaZ values compared to all other solutions (p<0.05). For DeltaLD similar results could be revealed. However, no differences between the remineralizing solution and Saliva natura S (OCP) 2 could be shown (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Saliva natura with an S (OCP) of 2 showed the highest remineralizing capacities. More pronounced remineralization could not be achieved with a higher S (OCP) of 3 under the conditions chosen.