Remineralisation Effect of Fluoride on Early Caries Lesions using a Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralisation effect after fluoride application onto an early caries lesion using a Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D). Specimens were prepared by human posterior teeth and were embedded into a plaster cast to exposure the crown part. Specimens were divided randomly into the following three groups; (1) control group, (2) 2 % NaF solution, (3) 1.23 % APF gel. Artificial enamel caries were formed in specimens (demineralised area) with a 1.0 % Carbopol 2050 (pH 4.8). Topical fluoride solution and gel were applied to the specimens of experimental group for 4 minutes and they were immersed in human saliva for 1 hour. Mineral loss of artificial caries lesion was evaluated by fluorescence loss (⊿F) values using QLF-D. Differences between baseline and post-treatment values in the three groups were assessed one-way ANOVA and post-hoc test was performed with the Tukey’s test (SPSS 18.0). The average ⊿F values of baseline were –6.56 in three groups. ⊿F of APF gel group (1.90) is greatly decreased compared to the baseline and was statistically significant difference compared with two groups (0.12) (p < 0.05). Therefore, the 1.23 % APF gel is the most effective in the treatment of remineralisation of artificial caries lesions. Also, the QLF-D could be useful for the evaluation of the remineralisation effect in early caries