Comparative Evaluation of Newer Remineralizing Agents on Surface Characteristics of Tooth Surface After Slenderization: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of remineralizing agents (nano-hydroxyapatite [n-HAP], NovaMin, calcium sucrose phosphate [CaSP], and Pro-Argin) on surface characteristics of slenderized enamel using Vickers microhardness and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis. Materials and Method: Sixty extracted premolar teeth were divided into 6 groups: group 1-natural teeth; group 2-slenderization and polishing; group 3-n-HAP; group 4-NovaMin; group 5-CaSP; and group 6-Pro-Argin. Remineralizing agents were applied for 21 days. Specimens were evaluated using Vickers microhardness and SEM-EDX analysis. A 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test were used for intragroup comparisons. Results: Among all remineralizing agents, CaSP showed significantly maximum surface microhardness, followed by NovaMin, n-HAP, and Pro-Argin. SEM also showed increased surface roughness for all remineralizing agents. EDX showed maximum increase in mineral content obtained with CaSP. Conclusion: All remineralizing agents significantly remineralized the stripped enamel surface. CaSP demonstrated promising results by effectively and significantly remineralizing the enamel lesions as compared to other test agents.