Ultrastructural Morphological Evidence of Effect of Physical Barrier in Prevention of Dental Caries: An In-vitro Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Dental Caries is primarily a disease of multifactorial origin. The streptococcus mutans the causative agent adheres to the tooth surface and breaks down the sugar to produce lactic acid as the by product which brings about demineralisation of tooth structure. There is a need to identify substance which prevents adhesion of the organism to the tooth surface thereby preventing colonisation. Aim: To assess conditioning of the tooth surface with butter prior to subjecting the tooth to demineralisation. Materials and Methods: An in vitro experimental trial was conducted on 45 non carious premolars. The teeth were divided in 3 groups of 15 each. Group I received no pretreatment. The group II and III received thin and thick layer of butter coating, respectively. The teeth were then immersed in demineralising solution and the effect of the of the same was assessed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Since the data obtained was qualitative, any statistical test were not applied. The observations recorded were based on the repetition of the similar findings in more than 50% of the samples. Results: The results of the study indicated the presence of islands of protected enamel and limited destruction in the prismatic pattern on the samples with thin coating of butter. Samples with thick butter coating showed presence of intact prismatic substance in contrast to the unprotected teeth which showed loss of prismatic substance. Conclusion: Pretreatment of the tooth surface with thin coating of butter prior to exposing the tooth to cariogenic environment protects the enamel from undergoing demineralisation.

Keywords

• adhesion
• adsorption
• buffering capacity
• butter
• demineralisation