In Vitro Root Caries Remineralization by NovaMin® Dentifrices

Methods: Bovine tooth roots were sectioned, mounted in epoxy, and progressively ground and polished to expose the dentin layer. Caries-like lesions were pre-formed in the dentin samples by immersion for 96 hours in demineralization solution (pH = 4.52) at 37°C. Randomly-selected samples were pulled after lesion formation and did not go through the remin/demin cycle. The remaining samples were subjected to a 7-day remin/demin cycle that consisted of a twice-daily 30-minute soak in demineralizing solution (pH=4.52, 37°C) followed by a two-minute dentifrice treatment (soak in 1:3 slurry with DI Water). Samples were soaked in artificial saliva (pH=7.00, 37°C) between the two daily demineralization/treatment periods. Treatment groups were: A) Lesion Only, B) DI Water, C) 1000ppm F as NaF (Crest®), D) 5000ppm F as NaF (ControlRx®) , E) 5% NovaMin®, and F) 5% NovaMin® + 5000ppm F as NaF. Surface microhardness (Knoop, HK) was measured on all samples using a load of 100 grams for 20 seconds.