Evaluation of various remineralizing agents containing calcium and phosphate on caries by using Raman spectroscopy

The remineralization process of dental caries is dependent on the Ca and PO4-3 ions that are lost during demineralization back to the tooth tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the PO4(-3) changes of enamel surfaces by using Raman analysis, as a result of applying three different remineralization agents containing Ca-PO4-3 in in vitro conditions. Enamel specimens obtained from 80 human third molar teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20) each according to surface treatment: no treatment (control), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, and amorphous calcium phosphate. The effects of remineralization agents were evaluated according to PO4-3 changes by using Raman analysis. Statistical analyses were performed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tamhane's T2 tests. There was a statistically significant difference between the study group surfaces subjected to the pH cycling process and remineralization and the control group surfaces only subjected to pH cycling (p < 0.05). However, the intragroup evaluation showed no statistically significant difference between the mean PO4-3 changes of intact and remineralized surfaces (p > 0.05). Remineralizing agents have positive effects on the phosphate concentration of initial enamel caries at the level of intact tooth tissue.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in PO4-3 of enamel surfaces by using Raman analysis after applying three different remineralization agents containing Ca-PO4-3 in vitro. The study found that remineralizing agents have positive effects on the phosphate concentration of initial enamel caries, but there was no significant difference in PO4-3 changes between remineralized surfaces and intact surfaces.