Comparative Evaluation of Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride and Glass Ionomer Cement on Microhardness of Artificial Caries Lesion in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Sahanai Sunny; Sharan S Sargod; Sham S Bhat; Ht Ajay Rao

doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2695

Comparative Evaluation of Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride and Glass Ionomer Cement on Microhardness of Artificial Caries Lesion in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2023 Nov-Dec;16(6):858-863. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2695.

Authors

Sahanai Sunny¹, Sharan S Sargod¹, Sham S Bhat¹, Ht Ajay Rao¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Yenepoya Dental College and Hospitals, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the remineralizing potential of glass ionomer cement (GIC) and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on artificially induced enamel caries lesions in primary teeth.

Materials and methods: The initial baseline surface microhardness (SMH) of 40 primary teeth was tested using Vickers hardness tester, followed by the creation of artificial caries lesions by immersion in the demineralizing solution. Microhardness assessments of demineralized samples were done, and samples were randomly divided into two groups of 20 specimens: in group I, GIC was applied on demineralized enamel, and in group II, SDF was applied on demineralized enamel. Samples were subjected to pH cycling. For group I, GIC from the enamel samples was carefully removed using a surgical blade, and changes in the SMH from both groups were analyzed using Vickers microhardness test.

Result: Surface microhardness (SMH) value after pH cycling of GIC (45 ± 10.23) and SDF (47.76 ± 6.69) is statistically highly significant (<0.001) compared to the baseline SMH of both test groups. Comparison of SMH between the two groups showed statistically nonsignificant results.

Conclusion: The remineralization potential of SDF is comparable to GIC. So, SDF can be used as a remineralizing agent for incipient enamel caries.

Clinical significance: Owing to the remineralizing ability of GIC underneath the restorations, it can be used as a therapeutic sealant for incipient enamel caries lesions, where SDF staining is not always acceptable. A 38% SDF also can be used as a remineralizing agent for incipient enamel caries lesions in situations like noncompliant patients, inaccessibility to dental care, or conditions in which esthetics is not of concern.

How to cite this article: Sunny S, Sargod SS, Bhat SS, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride and Glass Ionomer Cement on Microhardness of Artificial Caries Lesion in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(6):858-863.

Keywords: Glass ionomer cement; Incipient enamel lesions; Microhardness; Remineralization; Silver diamine fluoride.