OBJECTIVE: In the present investigation, the anticariogenic effect of fluoride released by two products commonly applied in infants was evaluated. METHODS: Bovine sound enamel blocks were randomly allocated to each one of the treatment groups: control (C), varnish (V) and diamine silver fluoride solution (D). The blocks were submitted to pH cycles in an oven at 37ºC. Next, surface and cross-sectional microhardness were assessed to calculate the percentage loss of surface microhardness (%SML) and the mineral loss (deltaZ). The fluoride present in enamel was also determined. RESULTS: F/Px10-3 (ANOVA, p<0.05) in the 1st layer of enamel before pH-cycling were (C, V and D): 1.61ª; 21.59b and 3.98c. The %SMH (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05) were: -64.0ª, -45.2b and -53.1c. %deltaZ values (ANOVA, p<0.05) were: -18.7ª, -7.7b and -17.3ª. CONCLUSION: The data suggested that the fluoride released by varnish showed greater interaction with sound enamel and provided less mineral loss when compared with silver diamine solution.
Enamel; Demineralization; Fluoride; Varnish; Dental caries; prevention and control
