Evaluating the effects of fluoride-releasing dental materials on adjacent interproximal caries

Background. The authors examined several restorative materials to evaluate their ability to inhibit demineralization and enhance remineralization of i ncipient carious lesions on the interproximal enamel of teeth adjacent to t hose restored with the materials. Methods. Twenty-one subjects in need of a crown on a mandibular molar and a Class II inlay on an adjacent tooth took part in this six-phase study. Art ificial enamel lesions were created and positioned within the interproximal portion of a crown. Lesions were photographed with polarized light microsc opy and characterized before and after 30-day intraoral exposures. Each pha se included the placement of a new section in the crown model and a new Cla ss II inlay restorative material in the adjacent tooth. Results. Results demonstrated that nonfluoridated resin composite, fluorida ted resin composite and resin-modified glass ionomer restorative materials, when placed in subjects who brushed with a fluoridated dentifrice, demonst rated significantly (P <.05) less enamel demineralization than the nonfluor idated resin composite control placed in subjects who brushed with a nonflu oridated dentifrice. The resin-modified glass ionomer cement, however, even when brushed with a nonfluoridated dentifrice, exhibited significantly (P <.05) less demineralization than the nonfluoridated resin composite control brushed with a nonfluoridated dentifrice. Conclusions. Resin-modified glass ionomer cement appears to significantly i nhibit demineralization of interproximal enamel of teeth adjacent to those restored with the material. Clinical Implications. Resin-modified glass ion omer cement restorations can enhance prevention of enamel demineralization on adjacent teeth.