Effect of glass ionomer cement and fluoride varnish on the remineralization of artificial proximal caries in situ

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of glass ionomer cement (GIC) and fluoride varnish (F-varnish) on artificial proximal caries in situ. Study design: Two 1×3 mm2 enamel slabs, divided into three 1×1 mm2 windows, were prepared from each proximal surface of 18 premolars. Each slab was distributed into a control area, an intact enamel area and a test area. Artificial lesions were created on the control and test areas by immersing in demineralizing solution for 24 hours. The test windows were either applied with GIC or F-varnish and the full slabs inserted into orthodontic brackets as carriers, which were then bonded to the buccal surfaces of the 6 upper posterior teeth of 6 volunteers using non-fluoride dentifrice for 30 days. There was a 1-week washout period in this crossover study. The middle specimens of the three windows were cross-sectioned to analyze the carious lesion area by a polarized light microscope and calculated with Image-Pro plus® software. Results: The average carious lesion area under GIC was significantly less than that under F-varnish (p<0.05). Conclusion: GIC promotes more remineralization of artificial carious lesions on proximal surfaces than F-varnish.