Near-Surface Studies of the Changes to the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Human Enamel under the Action of Fluoride Varnish Containing CPP–ACP Compound
Izabela Świetlicka,
Damian Kuc,
Michał Świetlicki,
Marta Arczewska,
Siemowit Muszyński,
Ewa Tomaszewska,
Adam Prószyński,
Krzysztof Gołacki,
Jerzy Błaszczak,
Krystian Cieślak,
Daniel Kamiński,
Maria Mielnik-Błaszczak
Affiliations
Izabela Świetlicka
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Damian Kuc
Chair and Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
Michał Świetlicki
Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Marta Arczewska
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Siemowit Muszyński
Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Ewa Tomaszewska
Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Adam Prószyński
Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Krzysztof Gołacki
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Automatics, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
Jerzy Błaszczak
Weglin-Medical, 20-716 Lublin, Poland
Krystian Cieślak
Institute of Renewable Energy Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Daniel Kamiński
Department of Crystallography, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
Maria Mielnik-Błaszczak
Chair and Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
Changes to the features of the enamel surface submitted to induced demineralisation and subsequent remineralisation were studied. The in vitro examination was conducted on polished slices of human molar teeth, divided in four groups: the untreated control (n = 20), challenged by a demineralisation with orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) (n = 20), and challenged by a demineralisation following remineralisation with fluoride (F) varnish containing casein phosphopeptides (CPP) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) compounds (n = 20). The specimens’ enamel surfaces were subjected to analysis of structure, molecular arrangement, mechanical features, chemical composition, and crystalline organization of apatite crystals. Specimens treated with acid showed a significant decrease in crystallinity, calcium, and phosphorus levels as well as mechanical parameters, with an increase in enamel surface roughness and degree of carbonates when compared to the control group. Treatment with fluoride CPP–ACP varnish provided great improvements in enamel arrangement, as the destroyed hydroxyapatite structure was largely rebuilt and the resulting enamel surface was characterised by greater regularity, higher molecular and structural organisation, and a smoother surface compared to the demineralised one. In conclusion, this in vitro study showed that fluoride CPP–ACP varnish, by improving enamel hardness and initiating the deposition of a new crystal layer, can be an effective remineralising agent for the treatment of damaged enamel.
