Date of Graduation

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

School of Dentistry

Department

Orthodontics

Committee Chair

Peter Ngan

Abstract

This study utilized 30 extracted human third molars. The teeth were sectioned into buccal and lingual halves. The samples were divided into three treatment groups (MI Paste; MI Paste/Fluoridated toothpaste; MI Paste/Enamel Care toothpaste) and one control. The samples were then subjected to cycling in a demineralizing solution (pH=4.46) and a remineralizing solution (pH=7.00) with treatment rendered between cycles. Cycling continued for 14 days. Lesion depth, lesion area, fluorescence and total fluorescence were measured using confocal microscopy. Results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer analyses. No significant differences were found between or among the groups for lesion depth, lesion area or total fluorescence. There was, however, a clear trend in the results. The results show that the treatment groups had a reduction in lesion depth, lesion area and total fluorescence. Lesion depth reduction was: 26.9% for MI Paste; 30.6% for MI Paste/Fluoridated toothpaste; and 38.3% for MI Paste/Enamel Care toothpaste. Lesion area reduction was: 13.3% for MI Paste; 18.9% for MI Paste/Fluoridated toothpaste; and 27.5% for MI Paste/Enamel Care toothpaste. There was a significant difference between the group treated with MI Paste/Fluoridated toothpaste and the control as well as the group treated with MI Paste/Fluoridated toothpaste and the group treated with MI Paste/Enamel Care toothpaste for fluorescence. The fluorescence value did not appear to coincide with lesion depth, lesion area or total fluorescence. These results suggest that the use of MI Paste alone, or in conjunction with other products, can reduce the amount and extent of demineralization.

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