Abstract
We manufactured a product termed Nano Seal, which consists of nano-sized particles of fluoroaluminosilicate glass dispersed in an aqueous solution as well as a phosphoric acid aqueous solution. The purpose of this study was to examine the acid protective effects of Nano Seal in comparison with APF using human teeth. Quantitative optical induction fluorescence (QLF) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to examine artificially decalcified and sound human enamel. The following results were obtained.1.FE-SEM observations of artificially decalcified enamel with incipient dental caries revealed decalcification in progress on the partial enamel surface as compared with immediately after application of the acid solution, as well as after 72 hours of decalcification in both the APF gel and APF liquid groups. On the other hand, the enamel surface was largely unchanged between before and after decalcification treatment when treated with Nano Seal.2.FE-SEM observation of decalcification showed that nano particles deposited on sound enamel surfaces by application of Nano Seal tightly covered the enamel within 72 hours.3.QLF evaluations of the acid protective effects of Nano Seal showed significantly greater acid resistance with both artificially decalcified enamel and sound enamel as compared to the control group.4.The acid protective effects of Nano Seal remained stable with repeated applications and decalcification procedures.Our results indicate that Nano Seal is a novel material for effective prevention of dental caries.
