Cariostatic Effects of Topical Application of (NH₄)₂MoO₂F₄ Solution: Clinical Study

Abstract

Topical application of 10% (NH₄)₂MoO₂F₄ solution has been shown to have a cariostatic effect in experiments using rats. A clinical study was planned to evalute the efficacy of topical (NH₄)₂MoO₂F₄ application on human dental caries. Ten children with dental caries on both sides of their dental archs were the subjects of this study. A 10% (NH₄)₂MoO₂F₄ solution was applied to the caries lesion on the experimental side, and distilled water was used as a control solution. Cariostatic effects or side effects of (NH₄)₂MoO₂F₄ topical application were examined periodically up to 15 weeks. Changes in the caries lesions were examined and scored on standardized photographs.
The following results were obtained,
1) Clinical examination showed that topical application of 10% (NH₄)₂MoO₂F₄solution inhibited the increments of both enamel and dentin caries without tooth discoloration.
2) It was found from standardized photographic analysis that topical (NH₄)₂MoO₂F₄ treatment significantly suppressed the increase in the area of caries lesions when compared with disstilled water.
3) There were no apparent side effects of (NH₄)₂MoO₂F₄ treatment except a slight gingival discomfort in 2 instances out of 92 applications.