Effect of polydopamine and fluoride ion coating on dental enamel remineralization: an in vitro study

BackgroundFluoride treatment is one of the most effective dental caries prevention methods. To continuously prevent dental caries, stably immobilizing the fluoride on the tooth enamel is highly desirable. This study aimed to evaluate the remineralization of tooth enamels by one-pot coating using polydopamine and fluoride ions.MethodsTo prepare the enamel specimens for polydopamine- and fluoride ion-coating, they were treated with polydopamine- and fluoride-containing gels. The enamel specimens were collected from human molars in a blind manner (n = 100) and were randomized into five treatment groups (n = 20, each): 1) untreated, 2) polydopamine-coated, 3) fluoride-containing gel-treated, 4) F varnish-treated, and 5) polydopamine- and fluoride ion-coated enamels. Vickers hardness number (VHN), morphology, and fluoride contents of the specimens were measured before and after the pH-cycling regimen.ResultsPolydopamine- and fluoride ion-coated enamels showed the highest fluoride content and lowest VHN reduction among the samples. The fluoride content of the polydopamine/fluoride ion (PD/F)-coated enamel was increased to 182 & PLUSMN; 6.6%, which was far higher than that of the uncoated enamel (112.3 & PLUSMN; 32.8%, P < 0.05). The changes in the VHN values (& UDelta;VHN) of PD/F-coated enamel substrates showed a slight reduction in the VHN (-3.6%, P < 0.05), which was far lower than that in the control group (-18.9%, P < 0.05). In addition, scanning electron microscopy clearly supported the effect of polydopamine- and fluoride ion-coatings on the remineralization of enamel specimens.ConclusionOur findings suggest that one-pot treatments with polydopamine and fluoride ions could significantly enhance remineralization by inhibiting enamel demineralization through the prolonged retention of fluoride ions.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the remineralization of tooth enamel using one-pot coating with polydopamine and fluoride ions. The results showed that enamel coated with polydopamine and fluoride ions had the highest fluoride content and the lowest reduction in hardness. Scanning electron microscopy further supported the effect of the coating on enamel remineralization.