The effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser, fluoride, and CPP-ACP on caries resistance of primary enamel

The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the effect of different remineralization agents and laser on caries resistance of primary enamel. In the study, 150 sound primary molars were used. The initial microhardness values were measured and the teeth were randomly assigned to ten treatment groups (n = 15): no treatment/negative control (C), NaF, APF, fluoride varnish (FV), CPP-ACP, laser (L), L + NaF, L + APF, L + FV, L + CPP-ACP. The microhardness values were measured after the treatments and the pH cycle. The obtained data were analyzed statistically. One sample from each group was examined before treatment, after treatment, and after the pH cycle with a scanning electron microscope. While microhardness values after treatment compared to baseline increased, microhardness after the pH cycle decreased compared to after treatment values in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). In regard to the difference in microhardness after the pH cycle and baseline, there were no statistically significant differences between groups C and NaF and between C and CPP-ACP (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between groups L and L + FV (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was noted between groups L and L + NaF, L + APF, L + CPP-ACP (p > 0.05). As a conclusion, FV is more effective when used in combination with laser than laser alone. NaF, CPP-ACP, and laser may be insufficient in protecting the primary teeth against acid attacks compared to FV used with laser.