Remineralization of enamel subsurface lesions in situ by the use of three commercially available sugar-free gums

Abstract

Background: Commercially available sugar-free chewing gums have been claimed to provide oral health benefits.

Aim: The aim of this randomized, double-blind crossover in situ study was to compare the efficacy of three commercially available sugar-free chewing gums: Trident White, Orbit, and Orbit Professional, in remineralizing enamel subsurface lesions in situ.

Design: Specimens containing enamel subsurface lesions were sectioned into test and control half-slabs with the test half-slabs inserted into removable palatal appliances. For each test chewing period, subjects were randomly allocated one of three test gums. Subjects (n = 10) chewed the randomly allocated gum for a 20-min period four times per day for 14 days. Each subject chewed all three test gums, with a 7-day washout period between crossovers. After each 14-day cycle, test and control half-slabs were paired, embedded in resin, sectioned, and subjected to microradiography to determine remineralization.

Results: The gum TW produced significantly greater remineralization (18.4 +/- 0.9%) than Orbit (8.9 +/- 0.5%) and Orbit Professional (10.5 +/- 0.9%).

Conclusion: The superior remineralization activity of the TW gum in situ was attributed to the presence of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomplexes.