Abstract
<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the demineralization inhibitory effect of gels/solutions used in combination with either standard or highly fluoridated dentifrices on sound dentin as well as on artificial dentin caries-like lesions. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Bovine dentin specimens (<i>n</i> = 240) with two different surfaces each (sound [ST] and artificial caries lesion [DT]) were prepared and randomly allocated to twelve groups. Weekly interventions during pH-cycling (28 days, 6 × 120 min demineralization/day) were: the application of gels/solutions containing amine fluoride/sodium fluoride (12,500 ppm F [ppm]; pH = 4.4; AmF); NaF (12,500 ppm; pH = 6.6; NaF1); NaF (12,500 ppm; pH = 6.3; NaF2); silver diamine fluoride (14,200 ppm; pH = 8.7; SDF); acidulated phosphate fluoride (12,500 ppm; pH = 3.8; APF), and no intervention (standard control; S). Furthermore, half of the specimens in each group were brushed (10 s; twice per day) with dentifrice slurries containing either 1,450 ppm (e.g., AmF<sub>1450</sub>) or 5,000 ppm (e.g., AmF<sub>5000</sub>). Differences in integrated mineral loss (ΔΔZ) and lesion depth (ΔLD) were calculated between values before and after pH-cycling using transversal microradiography. <b><i>Results:</i></b> After pH-cycling Ss showed significantly increased ΔZ<sub>DT</sub> and LD<sub>DT</sub> values, indicating further demineralization. In contrast, except for one, all groups including fluoride gels/solutions showed significantly decreased ΔZ<sub>DT</sub> values. Additional use of most fluoride gels/solutions significantly enhanced mineral gain, mainly in the surface area; however, acidic gels/solutions seemed to have negative effects on lesion depths. <b><i>Significance:</i></b> Under the present pH-cycling conditions the highly fluoridated dentifrice significantly reduced caries progression and additional application of nearly all of the fluoride gels/solutions resulted in remineralization. However, there was no difference in the remineralizing capacity of fluoride gels/solutions when used in combination with either standard or highly fluoridated dentifrices.