Comparative evaluation of the remineralizing potential of Salvadora persica and probiotic yogurt on incipient enamel lesions: An ex-vivo study.

Background: Salvadora persica (miswak) is known to exert antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticariogenic effects by elevating the pH of plaque after the consumption of sucrose.

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of S. persica and probiotic yogurt in the remineralization of tooth enamel on artificially produced enamel lesions.

Material and methods: A total of 40 intact human premolars were collected and each tooth was sectioned longitudinally into 2 identical halves in a buccolingual direction. The buccal halves were selected for inclusion in this study, and standardized windows (5 mm × 3 mm) were isolated on the buccal surface of the enamel. The samples were incubated in a demineralizing solution at 37°C for 96 h. Subsequently, they were randomly selected for treatment with one of the experimental remineralizing solutions (S. persica or probiotic yogurt). After treatment, the samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and polarized light microscopy at baseline, after demineralization and after remineralization.

Results: The remineralizing effect of S. persica was found to be greater than that of probiotic yogurt. With regard to mineral content, S. persica exhibited the highest calcium and phosphorus levels among all groups. No significant differences were observed between the samples treated with S. persica and normal enamel.

Conclusions: Salvadora persica extract has been demonstrated to effectively reduce the demineralization of enamel in experimental conditions. Furthermore, it has the potential to restore the mineral content to its original level.