Enhancing Root Caries Lesion Prevention By Combining Two American Dental Association-Recommended Preventive Agents

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Purpose: This in vitro study aims to analyze the effect of combining two ADA-recommended professionally applied 1:1 Chlorhexidine/Thymol varnish ((Cervitec Plus)) and professionally prescribed 5,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste ((PreviDent 5000 Plus)) on reducing lesion depth and increasing mineral content Materials & Methods: Forty-eight dentin specimens were randomly distributed into four treatment groups (n=12 per treatment). Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans were created on the polished surfaces of bovine root dentin specimens (n=12 per treatment). 1:1 Chlorhexidine/Thymol varnish was applied once then the tested 5,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste was applied for 120 seconds twice daily over the course of 2 days. Tested groups were: (1) 1:1 Chlorhexidine/Thymol varnish ((Cervitec Plus)) (C/T). (2) 5,000 ppm F toothpaste ((PreviDent 5000 Plus)) (F). (3) Combination of 1:1 Chlorhexidine/Thymol varnish ((Cervitec Plus)) & 5000 ppm F toothpaste ((PreviDent 5000 Plus)) (C/T+F). (4) Deionized water (DIW) as control group. Biofilms were analyzed for biofilm dry weight. Dentin specimens were analyzed using transversal microradiography (TMR) for mineral content change and lesion depth. PH data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Total biofilm dry weight data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Integrated mineral loss and lesion depth data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA All pair-wise comparisons from ANOVA analysis were made using Fisher’s Protected Least Significant Differences to control the overall significance level at 5%. Results: Treatment with (C/T+F) resulted in higher mean pH values compared to the control group (DIW) and (F) group. The average pH values of group (C/T) were not statistically different than group (C/T+F). the biomass of the combined S. mutans & C. albicans biofilm among all the groups were not significantly different. (DIW) presented significantly deeper lesions for both surfaces (sound &demineralized) when compared to (F) (P=0.0118), (C/T) (P=0.0002), and (C/T+F) (P<.0001). The sound surfaces for the specimens for group (C/T) and Group (F) showed superficial lesion depth. However, the sound surfaces of specimens treated with (C/T+F) showed the most superficial depth. Due to mineral gain, the demineralized surfaces of the specimens of both (C/T) & (C/T+F) showed a decrease in the lesion depth. Conclusion: Within the limitations of our study. The combination of 5,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste and CHX/Thymol had no significant effect on mineral content. However, the combination had a considerable effect on lesion depth reduction