Remineralization effects of a sodium fluoride bioerodible gel

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) bioerodible gel to remineralize demineralized enamel. Methods: Artificial enamel lesions were created at the gingivofacial surface of 36 extracted teeth. Longitudinal sections were obtained through the lesions, photographed under polarized light microscopy, and the demineralized areas were quantitated. Sections were painted with an acid-protective varnish, leaving only the facial surface of the enamel lesion exposed, and positioned naturally into the tooth from which they were obtained. Teeth were randomly mounted in sets of four that simulated a natural anterior arch form. Equal numbers were subjected to a NaF gel, control gel or received no treatment, with the gel being placed and retained by the interproximal embrasures of the teeth. Following 30 days exposure to artificial saliva, the lesions were photographed and quantitated in the same manner as prior to treatment. Results: The NaF gel showed significantly more remineralization than the control groups (P< 0.05), with a 68.9% (± 17.7) mean lesion remineralization.