The effect of silver nanoparticles in addition to sodium fluoride on remineralization of artificial root dentin caries

Abstract

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the remineralization effect of the silver nanoparticles adjunctively to sodium fluoride varnish compared with other remineralizing agents on artificial root caries. Fifty-five root dentin slices size 5x5 mm were sectioned from extracted human teeth of patients aged 60 years old or more. All specimens were immersed in demineralized solution to create artificial caries. The specimens were randomly allocate into five groups according to the remineralizing agents: silver diamine fluoride, silver nanoparticles solution, silver nanoparticle solution followed by the application of sodium fluoride varnish, sodium fluoride varnish and tap water. After 8 days of pH cycling challenge, the microhardness test and lesion depth evaluation were performed. Data were analyzed using F-test One-way ANOVA following by Tukey’s post hoc test and paired T-test. All test groups demonstrated a significantly higher microhardness value and lower lesion depth compared to control group. Despite, no significant difference in lesion depth and microhardness, both silver nanoparticle solution additionally to sodium fluoride varnish and sodium fluoride varnish showed lower efficacy to silver diamine fluoride. Based on the finding of this in vitro study, either silver nanoparticle or sodium fluoride varnish solely remineralize such artificial root caries lesions, yet inferior to SDF.