INTRODUCTION: Management of demineralized enamel has focused on the use of materials for remineralization. This study compared the remineralization potential of bioactive remineralizing resin (2R) with conventional resin (CR) infiltration on demineralized enamel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty demineralized enamel premolars were generated, allocated for three groups for infiltration with 2R, CR, and no treatment (NT), and subjected to pH cycling. Samples were determined for microhardness of enamel at the levels 50-100-200-300 μm from the external surface. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy were assessed for infiltration depth and calcium/phosphorus ratio (Ca/P). ANOVA and Fisher's test were analyzed for significant differences in microhardness and Ca/P among groups (α = 0.05). RESULTS: 2R exhibited significantly higher hardness and Ca/P to demineralized enamel than CR and NT for every depth (p < 0.05), except for the hardness of 2R versus CR at 50 and 100 μm, and Ca/P of 2R-100 and 200 μm versus CR-50 μm. 2R showed significantly higher infiltration and remineralization to demineralized enamel than CR and NT. PLM denoted a greater decrease in depth of carious lesion for 2R, compared with CR, with no depth reduction for NT. CONCLUSION: 2R is capable of penetrating and enhancing the hardness of demineralized enamel more than CR, compared with NT. Increasing Ca/P upon infiltration with 2R over CR and NT denoted the capability of remineralization to carious lesions. A decrease in the depth of carious lesions was observed upon 2R application, more than CR and NT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: 2R infiltration demonstrated an effective remineralization material for handling initial carious lesions in dental practice.
Kitsahawong et al. (Thu,) studied this question.