Objective: To compare the influence of 6 caries-preventive agents containing fluoride and trace element on dental enamel decalcification and observe the relationship between enamel decalcification and time of early carious lesions.
Methods: 84 bovine teeth were selected and divided into 7 groups. Experimental groups were treated with SrF, SnF2, (NH4)2 MoO2F4, ZnF, LaF and NaF with the same [F-]concentration and deionised water respectively, then all the specimens formed artificial carious lesion in lactic acid gel.
Results: The [Ca2+] concentration of lactic acid gel showed a variety of enamel decalcification among specimens treated with fluoride agents after 48 hours, on the other hand, all the specimens presented a platform of enamel decalcification after 48 hours. SnF2 demonstrated the strongest inhibition on enamel decalcification, meanwhile, NaF has the minimum influence on it.
Conclusion: The time of forming artificial carious lesion with acid etch is about 48 hours, moreover, caries-preventive agents containing fluoride and trace element are effectively able to inhibit enamel decalcification, and the potential mechanism is the interaction of fluoride and trace element.