Original Paper

Influence of Salivary Macromolecules and Fluoride on Enamel Lesion Remineralization in vitro
H. Fujikawa^{a, b}, K. Matsuyama^a, A. Uchiyama^a, S. Nakashima^{a, b}, T. Ujiie<sup>a

a</sup>Oral Care Research Laboratories, Lion Corporation, Odawara, and
^bGraduate School of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Address of Corresponding Author

Caries Res 2008;42:37-45 (DOI: 10.1159/000111748)

  Key Words

• Enamel
• Fluoride
• Proteins
• Remineralization
• Saliva

  Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of salivary macromolecules on enamel lesion remineralization in the presence or absence of fluoride. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was centrifuged, and the supernatant was dialyzed in 1,000 molecular-weight cutoff dialysis tubes, first against a phosphate buffer and then against a mineral solution containing Ca and phosphate. Artificial subsurface lesions of human enamel, created in pH 4.5 acetate buffer, were remineralized for 28 days in 4 remineralizing solutions: group C - mineral solution as a control; group S - mineral solution + dialyzed saliva; group F - mineral solution + 1 ppm F; group SF - mineral solution + dialyzed saliva + 1 ppm F. Changes in relative mineral concentration in the lesions were assessed by transverse microradiography. The results showed statistically significant mineral gains in the lesion body in groups C (Z = 3,254 ± 1,562% ×µm) and SF (Z = 2,973 ± 1,349% ×µm), but not in groups S (Z = 5,192 ± 1,863% ×µm) and F (Z = 4,310 ± 1,138% ×µm) compared with the baseline group (Z = 5,414 ± 461% ×µm). It was also found that the mineral density at the surface layer in group F (75.0 ± 15.7%) was greater than that in the baseline group (30.1 ± 12.3%) with statistical significance, but not in group SF (39.9 ± 16.5%). It was concluded that the macromolecules inhibited lesion remineralization fundamentally but that these molecules, in the presence of fluoride, seemed to play an important role in the continuation of remineralization by reducing mineral gains at the surface layer.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Haruhiko Fujikawa
Oral Care Research Laboratories, Research and Development Headquarters
Lion Corporation, 100 Tajima
Odawara, Kanagawa, 256-0811 (Japan)
Tel. +81 465 49 4535, Fax +81 465 48 4079, E-Mail hfujika@lion.co.jp

  Article Information

Received: November 10, 2006
Accepted after revision: September 25, 2007
Published online: November 27, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 9
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 43