Use of Reparative Agents Topical Fluoride Activated by CO[sub.2] Laser and Curodont™ Repair and NR-5™ on Vickers Hardness and Micro-Shear Bond Strength of Eroded Enamel to Composite Restoration

• Published in: Applied sciences 2023-11, Vol.13 (23)
• Main Authors: Alahdal, K, Almohareb, T, Aldeeb, Laila, Maawadh, A, Alshamrani, A. S, Alrahlah, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fluorides; Mechanical properties
• ISSN: 2076-3417; 2076-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/app132312717

Aim: This study aims to assess the impact of various reparative remineralizing agents, specifically topical fluoride (TF) and a combination of a carbon dioxide laser (CO[sub.2] laser) with TF, as well as regenerative agents such as Curodont™ Repair and NR-5™, on two key factors—the micro-Vickers hardness (VH) of eroded enamel and the micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of composite restoration. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 single-rooted premolars with intact enamel were sectioned mesiodistally into two halves, making a sample size of 100 specimens. All of the samples were then exposed to Coca-Cola[sup.TM] for 2 min each day over 1 month to induce erosion on the enamel surface. The specimens were then embedded in acrylic cold-cure resin facing a flat surface upward. The samples were then arbitrarily divided into five groups based on the remineralizing and regenerative agents used, as follows (n = 20): Group 1: No remineralizing agent, Group 2: Curodont™ Repair, Group 3: NR-5™, Group 4: TF, and Group 5: CO[sub.2] laser + TF. The VH of the pretreated enamel surfaces was analyzed and µSBS testing and failure mode of composite restoration were performed using a universal testing machine (UTM) and stereomicroscope. ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc were performed for data analysis. Results: In Group 3, the (NR-5™)-treated teeth exhibited the highest VH values and µSBS. In Group 1, the (No remineralizing agent)-treated specimens displayed the lowest VH and the lowest µSBS. An intergroup comparison analysis unveiled that Group 3, Group 4 (TF), and Group 5 (CO[sub.2] laser + TF) presented comparable outcomes of microhardness and bond strength. The Group 2 (Curodont™ Repair) samples exhibited no significant difference in VH and µSBS, as compared to Group 1. Conclusions: The use of a combination of NR-5™ technology and a CO[sub.2] laser in conjunction with TF has been shown to significantly augment the natural mineralization process. This enhancement results in increased microhardness and an improved bond strength in the treated enamel.