Remineralizing Effect of Alcohol-free Fluoridated Essential Oil Containing Mouthrinses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of alcohol-free fluoridated essential oil mouthrinses with and without zinc chloride (AFFEO-100ppm-F, AFFEO-100ppm-F+Zn, and AFFEO-220ppm-F+Zn) to promote remineralization into demineralized dental enamel versus a negative control (water).

Method: This observer blinded, controlled study employed a randomized parallel group design testing the following groups: A: AFFEO-100ppm-F; B: Water; C: AFFEO-100ppm-F+Zn; and D: AFFEO-220ppm-F+Zn.  Human enamel specimens (n=18/group) with caries-like incipient lesions were balanced according to baseline surface microhardness values (25-45 VHN). Specimens were exposed to a pH cycling model for 20 days.  The specimens were treated daily with the assigned test mouthrinse or water for four 1 minute treatments. Specimens were immersed in artificial saliva between treatments and were also demineralized every day for a 4 hr period in a Carbopol-lactic acid solution saturated with 50% hydroxyapatite (pH =4.9).  After the 20 day pH cycling period, the enamel specimens underwent a simulated plaque acid challenge (SPAC) for one 2-hour period.  At the completion of the study, specimens were analyzed for surface microhardness (SMH) to determine the remineralization effect of the treatments (ANOVA, Tukey, p<0.05).

Result: After 20 days of cycling, mean ± SEM SMH were as follows: A: 80.1±4.1, B: 39.3±3.2, C: 64.2±2.8, D: 96.5±3.1.  SPAC SMH were: A: 71.3±3.7, B: 34.0±2.9, C: 58.0±2.2 and D: 85.3±4.4, and the D SMH SPAC data were: A: 34.7±2.9, B: -2.7±2.3, C: 21.4±1.8 and D: 48.6±4.3.

Conclusion: The results from this study demonstrate that these alcohol-free fluoridated essential oil containing mouthrinses have a statistically significantly higher remineralization potential and resistance to acid challenge than the negative control.