Frequency of fluoridated milk to re-mineralize artificial carious lesions

Abstract

Introduction Milk is an universal dietary component that could be an effective medium for the delivery of fluoride. The objective of this study was to determine whether the frequency of treating artificial carious lesions with fluoridated milk of different concentrations alters the re-mineralizing potential. Materials and Methods Artificial carious lesions, (90-180孠deep), were formed on the buccal and lingual enamel surfaces of extracted molars using a de-mineralizing solution. The teeth were sectioned to create specimens 100-150孠thick. The sections were painted with a varnish except for the outer surface of the lesion. The specimens were randomly divided into thirteen groups and treated with: water, plain milk or fluoridated milk (2.5ppm, 5ppm, 10ppm) once, twice or on alternate days using a 20-day pH cycling model. Lesion depth and mineral content (Vmax) before and after the pH cycle were evaluated using polarized light microscopy and microradiography. Paired t-test, ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests were employed to make comparisons within each group and between the different groups. Results Fluoridated milk (2.5ppm, 5ppm, 10ppm) significantly reduced the lesion depth and increased the Vmax of the lesions in comparison to the control groups (p<0.05). Specimens treated with 2.5ppm fluoride milk twice daily exhibited the greatest reduction in lesion depth (p<0.05). Conclusion Fluoridated milk has a beneficial effect on the progression of artificial enamel carious lesions. Milk with 2.5ppm fluoride, when used twice daily, exhibited a greater re-mineralizing potential than when used once daily, or on alternate days with the same or higher concentrations.