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. 2021 Aug 16;13(16):2740.
doi: 10.3390/polym13162740.

SEM/EDS Evaluation of the Mineral Deposition on a Polymeric Composite Resin of a Toothpaste Containing Biomimetic Zn-Carbonate Hydroxyapatite (microRepair®) in Oral Environment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Andrea Butera  1 , Maurizio Pascadopoli  2 , Simone Gallo  2 , Marco Lelli  3 , Fabrizio Tarterini  3 , Federico Giglia  1 , Andrea Scribante  2
Affiliations

SEM/EDS Evaluation of the Mineral Deposition on a Polymeric Composite Resin of a Toothpaste Containing Biomimetic Zn-Carbonate Hydroxyapatite (microRepair®) in Oral Environment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Andrea Butera et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Toothpastes containing biomimetic hydroxyapatite have been investigated in recent years; the behavior of this material in the oral environment has been evaluated directly on dental enamel showing a marked remineralizing activity. To propose microRepair®-based toothpastes (Zn-carbonate hydroxyapatite) for the domiciliary oral hygiene in patients with dental composite restorations, the aim of this study was to evaluate the deposition of Zn-carbonate hydroxyapatite on a polymeric composite resin with Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM/EDS) analysis. Twenty healthy volunteers underwent the bonding of 3 orthodontic buttons on the vestibular surfaces of upper right premolars and first molar. On the surface of the buttons, a ball-shaped mass of composite resin was applied and light-cured. Then, the volunteers were randomly divided into two groups according to the toothpaste used for domiciliary oral hygiene: the Control toothpaste containing stannous fluoride and the Trial toothpaste containing microRepair®. The buttons were debonded after 7 days (T1-first premolar), after 15 days (T2-second premolar), and after 30 days (T3-first molar) to undergo the SEM/EDS analysis. The deposition of calcium, phosphorus, and silicon was assessed through EDS analysis and data were submitted to statistical analysis (p < 0.05). SEM morphologic evaluation showed a marked deposition of the two toothpastes on the surfaces of the buttons. EDS quantitative analysis showed an increase of calcium, phosphorus, and silicon in both the groups, with a statistically significant difference of calcium deposition at T3 for the Trial group. Therefore, the use of toothpaste containing Zn-carbonate hydroxyapatite could be proposed as a device for domiciliary oral hygiene because the deposition of hydroxyapatite on polymeric composite resin could prevent secondary caries on the margins of restorations.

Keywords: EDS; SEM; biomimetic; composite resin; dentistry hydroxyapatite; microrepair; mineral deposition; polymer composite; remineralization; toothpaste.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preparation of the orthodontic button: (a) orthodontic button before composite application; (b) light curing of the composite applied on the button; (c) orthodontic button after the procedure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow-chart of the study. Legend: SEM, Scanning Electron Microscope; EDS, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry.
Figure 3
Figure 3
SEM images of the orthodontic button at baseline (T0, before bonding) at different magnifications: (a) 100×; (b) 500× and (c) 2000×.
Figure 4
Figure 4
100× magnification of a button belonging to the Control group at (a) T1 (7 days); (b) T2 (15 days); and (c) T3 (30 days).
Figure 5
Figure 5
100× magnification of a button belonging to Trial group at (a) T1 (7 days); (b) T2 (15 days); and (c) T3 (30 days).
Figure 6
Figure 6
500× magnification of buttons at T3 belonging to (a) Control group and (b) Trial group.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Elemental spectrum of composite resin surface of the button before bonding (Untreated –T0).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Graphical evaluation of calcium deposition among the time frames of the study.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Graphical evaluation of phosphorus deposition among the time frames of the study.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Graphical evaluation of silicon deposition among the time frames of the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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