Comparative Evaluation of Microhardness and Enamel Solubility of Treated Surface Enamel with Resin Infiltrant, Fluoride Varnish, and Casein Phosphopeptide-amorphous Calcium Phosphate: An In Vitro Study

Aim and objective The aim and objective of this study was to do a comparative evaluation of microhardness and enamel solubility (ES) of the treated surface enamel with resin infiltrant, fluoride varnish, and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). Materials and methods An in vitro study was conducted on freshly extracted 85 sound permanent teeth of which 5 teeth were subjected to check for microhardness by the Vickers microhardness tester and the remaining teeth were exposed to demineralizing solution to create initial enamel lesions. These 80 teeth were assigned to four groups: group I-negative control (n = 20), group II-resin infiltrant (n = 20), group III-fluoride varnish (n = 20), and group IV-CPP-ACP (n = 20), and microhardness was checked after application. These teeth were exposed to caries attack three times a day for three consecutive days. The ES of these four groups was checked by calcium ion loss in the artificial cariogenic solution and whole saliva by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results It was found that none of the experimental groups reached the microhardness values of sound intact teeth. At 3rd day, the values of microhardness were: group II = group III > group IV > group I. Maximum ES was found for group I (control) followed with group IV. Conclusion All agents used in study remineralized initial carious lesion. Fluoride varnish has the highest microhardness and showed least ES compared to other remineralizing agents. Clinical significance Fluoride varnish can be regarded as the choice of material to be used for the treatment of incipient carious lesions because of the low application frequency (once every 3-6 months), requires minimal patient compliance as it is a noninvasive procedure and less time consuming. How to cite this article Dhillon SN, Deshpande AN, Macwan C, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Microhardness and Enamel Solubility of Treated Surface Enamel with Resin Infiltrant, Fluoride Varnish, and Casein Phosphopeptide-amorphous Calcium Phosphate: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(S-1):S14-S25.