EFFECT OF FLUORIDATED VARNISH AND SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE SOLUTION ON ENAMEL DEMINERALIZATION: pH-CYCLING STUDY

OBJECTIVE In the present investigation, the anticariogenic effect of fluoride released by two products commonly applied in infants was evaluated. METHODS Bovine sound enamel blocks were randomly allocated to each one of the treatment groups: control (C), varnish (V) and diamine silver fluoride solution (D). The blocks were submitted to pH cycles in an oven at 37 degrees C. Next, surface and cross-sectional microhardness were assessed to calculate the percentage loss of surface microhardness (%SML) and the mineral loss (deltaZ). The fluoride present in enamel was also determined. RESULTS F/Px10(-3) (ANOVA, p<0.05) in the 1st layer of enamel before pH-cycling were (C, V and D): 1.61; 21.59 and 3.98. The %SMH (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05) were: -64.0, -45.2 and -53.1. %deltaZ values (ANOVA, p<0.05) were: -18.7 feminine, -7.7 and -17.3 feminine. CONCLUSION The data suggested that the fluoride released by varnish showed greater interaction with sound enamel and provided less mineral loss when compared with silver diamine solution.