The preventive/therapeutic effect of CO2 laser and MI Paste Plus® on intact and demineralized enamel against Streptococcus mutans (In Vitro Study)

• Published in: Heliyon 2023-10, Vol.9 (10), p.e20310-e20310, Article e20310
• Main Authors: Almarsomy, Dhuha H., Al-khayat, Fadia A., Al-Taee, Lamis A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CO2 laser; Demineralized enamel; MI Paste Plus; Microhardness; Streptococcus mutans
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20310

To evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of CO2 laser and MI paste plus on intact and demineralized enamel surfaces and their impact on bacterial adhesion. Methods: 160 enamel slabs were prepared and randomly allocated into two main groups; sound and demineralized enamel (n = 80 per group), in which specimens were immersed in a demineralizing solution (50 mM acetic acid, pH 4.5) for 72 h at 37 °C. Each group was further divided into four subgroups (n = 20); the control (un treated surfaces), surfaces treated by CO2 laser, MI paste plus (Recaldent™, GC corporation/Germany), and those received a combination of CO2 and MI paste plus. Streptococcus Mutans biofilm was isolated, quantified, and then applied on treated enamel surfaces and incubated anaerobically for 24 h and then quantified by colony-forming unit (CFU). Meanwhile, surface changes were assessed by Vickers microhardness and Scanning Electron Microscope combined with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Results: The combined use of CO2 laser followed by MI paste plus significantly (p