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Dental caries is endemic globally (Beaglehole et al. 2009). The prevalence of dental caries in the general population is significant throughout the world and particularly affects people in regions where consumption of refined sugar is high. Figure 4 shows caries prevalence for the 6–19 year-old age group in a number of countries (Beaglehole 2009).
Cariogenic bacteria in supragingival dental plaque, predominantly Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli, metabolize fermentable carbohydrates to produce acids that cause demineralization of the dental hard tissues. Without adequate remineralization the caries balance is disturbed, resulting in net mineral loss that will eventually lead to cavitation. Fluoride is the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent to combat dental caries.
Twice daily use of fluoride dentifrices is well-established as being effective in reducing caries and reversing early carious lesions (Marinho et al. 2003) Interventions that increase the amount of fluoride available to alter the plaque/tooth surface interaction are the most successful for caries prevention:
Higher concentrations of fluoride generally offer greater protection:
Figure 4. Prevalence of dental caries
Figure 5. Mechanism of action in fluoride
The caries demineralization-remineralization balance described above is valid for all fluoride compounds which allow dissociation of the fluoride ion in the oral cavity. Stabilized stannous fluoride may offer additional anti-caries benefits through the anti-bacterial actions of stannous which reduce the production of plaque acids (Kasturi et al. 1995).
The following study summaries represent a sample of research demonstrating the benefits of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice for caries protection.
Full text available in the Research Database at www.dentalcare.com
Reference: Pfarrer AM, McQueen CM, Lawless MA, Rapozo-Hilo M, Featherstone JDB. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2005;26(Suppl1):41-46.
In vitro studies demonstrated the anticaries potential of the stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice.
To examine the anticaries potential of a stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice with sodium hexametaphosphate (for cosmetic benefits).
In vitro anti-caries profile methods were:
- Stabilized stannous fluoride with sodium hexametaphosphate (1,100 pmm fluoride as stannous fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and silica)
- United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard (1,100 pmm fluoride as stannous fluoride and silica)
- Dose-response control USP Reference Standard (diluted to 250 ppm fluoride as stannous fluoride and silica)
- Placebo negative control (<1ppm fluoride and silica)
- Stabilized stannous fluoride with sodium hexametaphosphate
- Sodium fluoride with sodium hexametaphosphate (1,100 pmm fluoride as sodium fluoride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and silica)
- Stannous fluoride USP Reference Standard (1,100 pmm fluoride as stannous fluoride and silica)
- Sodium fluoride USP Reference Standard (1,100 ppm fluoride as sodium fluoride and silica)
- Dose-response sodium fluoride control
- Placebo negative control (<1ppm fluoride)
Human enamel samples from extracted teeth – 3 mm diameter cores – were decalcified for 24 hours to produce early caries lesions 20-30 μm deep. Samples were taken from the cores by the microdrill biopsy technique. Samples were measured for fluoride levels pre-dentifrice treatment. Groups of specimens were treated with dentifrice/saliva slurries. Samples were taken to determine post-treatment fluoride levels. The difference between pre and post levels determined fluoride uptake.
Caries-free human molar or premolar crowns were each treated to produce a 3 x 2 mm window on one surface as the entry point for demineralization. 24-hour test cycles
- 6 hours demineralization, 1 minute dentifrice treatment, 16 hours remineralization, 1 minute treatment – were repeated for 14 days. Cycles were designed to model normal demineralization and remineralization. The resulting lesions were measured for progression into the enamel, and mineral loss from each lesion calculated.
There was no statistically significant difference between the stannous fluoride with sodium hexametaphosphate toothpaste and the stannous fluoride USP Reference Standard toothpaste.
The stannous fluoride with sodium hexametaphosphate toothpaste was at least as good as the clinically proven stannous fluoride and sodium fluoride USP Reference Standard toothpastes.
Full text available in the Research Database at www.dentalcare.com
Reference: Stookey GK, Mau MS, Isaacs RL, Gonzalez-Gierbolini C, Bartizek RD, Biesbrock AR. Caries Res. 2004;38:542-550.
In a 2-year clinical trial, subjects in both the high-dose sodium fluoride dentifrice (2,800 ppm F) group and the 0.454% stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice (SnF2, 1,100 ppm F) group showed significantly fewer caries increments than subjects in the sodium fluoride positive control dentifrice group (1,100 ppm F). The low-NaF group (550 ppm F) and the positive control group did not differ.
To compare the anticaries effectiveness of a low-dose (500 ppm F) and high-dose (2,800 ppm F) sodium fluoride dentifrice (low-NaF and high Na-F) and an experimental dentifrice (SnF2; 1,100 ppm F) with a sodium fluoride positive control dentifrice (1,100 ppm F) over 2 years. (Note: This was an early prototype of the eventual marketed stannous fluoride/sodium hexametaphosphate product.)
- Both examiners showed that caries increments were lower in the high-NaF group than the control group.
- Both examiners showed statistically significantly less caries in the SnF2 group than the positive control group.
- Neither examiner showed statistically significant differences in caries increments between low-NaF and positive control groups.
Reference: Wefel JS, Stanford CM, Ament DK, Hogan MM, Harless JD, Pfarrer AM, Ramsey LL, Leusch MS, Biesbrock AR. Caries Res. 2002;36(2):122-8.
Based on this research, sodium hexametaphosphate does not interfere with the normal fluoride activity of the toothpastes tested. Relative to the positive and negative controls, the experimental dentifrice with stannous fluoride was numerically better at inhibiting demineralization of sound root surfaces.
An investigator-blinded, in situ clinical study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two experimental dentifrice formulations containing sodium hexametaphosphate, an anticalculus/whitening agent, on demineralization/remineralization.
Experimental dentifrices were:
Both experimental dentifrices were packaged in a dual-phase tube
Three controls were used to evaluate the experimental dentifrice formulations’ ability to alter demineralization-remineralization:
The single-section crown model, developed at the University of Iowa, was used to evaluate the fluoride efficacy of the treatments.
The crown slot held:
Thirty subjects were randomized to one of 10 treatment sequences involving 5 dentifrice treatments. Each dentifrice was used twice per day for 1 month over the 5-month period. At the end of each leg, the gold crown was removed and replaced by a new crown with three new substrates.
Results suggested a clinical level of anticaries activity for the experimental SnF2 and NaF dentifrice formulations that was as good as either of the positive controls, when evaluated using polarized light microscopy.
* Based on pairwise comparisons (P<0.05)
See publication for additional results.
CARIES PROCESS & PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Caries Process and Prevention Strategies comprises a series of ten continuing education courses that may be taken individually or as a complete series.
Oral Hygiene Intervention in Pregnancy May Reduce Caries in Offspring
Purpose: Pregnancy gingivitis is common during pregnancy and can be treated with intensive oral hygiene education. Previous research has correlated maternal oral hygiene habits with caries rates in their children. This investigation sought to determine if intense oral hygiene education during pregnancy improved caries rates in offspring.
Fluoride Uptake Profiles of Selected European Toothpastes into Hard Tissues and Plaque
Purpose: To compare the fluoridating potential of selected European toothpastes using a combination of enamel, dentin, and plaque in vitro models.
Prevention of Caries by SnF2 in a Microbial Caries Model
Purpose: Stannous fluoride (SnF2) containing toothpaste has shown to have anticaries and antigingivitis effects. Its antimicrobial impact on the caries process is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the caries prevention potential of SnF2 based dentifrice when compared to NaF and SMFP based dentifrices using a microbial artificial mouth caries model.
HOW DO YOU GET CAVITIES?
Cavities, also referred to as tooth decay, or dental caries, is the breakdown of the hard tissues of the tooth.
