Effects of Enamel Matrix Proteins on Re-Hardening of Initial Enamel Carious Lesions

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of enamel matrix proteins on re-hardening of initial enamel carious lesions in vitro. Materials and Methods: Fourty enamel samples were prepared from extracted human molar teeth without caries. All enamel blocks were embedded in polymethylmethacrylate, the labial enamel surfaces were polished and painted with one layers of acid-resistant nail varnish, leaving a 3mm x 6mm window exposed. Surface microhardness of the prepared enamel blocks was measured before demineralisation, after demineralisation and after remineralisation treatments from three different points by applying at a load of 50 g for 15 s, using microhardness tester (Shimadzu, Japan). Teeth randomly divided into four groups (n=10). Group NaF: 5% Sodyum fluoride varnish (Enamelast, Ultradent, South Jordan) was applied for 5 min; Group EMD5:Emdogain (Straumann, Biora, Sweden) was applied for 5 min, Group EMD-10:Emdogain was applied for 10 min Group S: Teeth were stored in saliva without treatment. After remineralization procedures, samples were stored in freshly prepared artificial saliva for 7 days. The ShapiroWilk test was performed to test normality of the data. Variance analyse, and Bonferroni test was used to compare surface microhardness (p=0.05). Results: The surface microhardness values obtained after remineralization in NAF, EMD-5, EMD-10 groups were significantly higher than the values determined after demineralization (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between demineralization and remineralization microhardness values in the saliva group (p>0.05). When the remineralization degrees of the test groups were compared, no difference was found between NAF and EMD-5 in terms of microhardness (p> 0.05). This value was higher than the saliva group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Emdogain applied for 5 min has a re-hardening capacity