The effect of plasma treatment and bioglass paste on enamel white spot lesions

Objective

Bioglass can be used as a non-invasive remineralizing treatment for enamel white spot lesions (WSLs). Cold plasma application can boost enamel surface properties by increasing its surface energy and wettability without disturbing the bulk structure or raising up pulp temperature. It is thought that the remineralizing ability of bioglass, might be enhanced if proceeded by plasma application. This study investigated the combined effect of cold plasma and bioglass on demineralized enamel.

Methods

Forty bovine incisors were sectioned to obtain flat enamel specimens and challenged by demineralization solution of pH 4.47 for 72 h. The enamel specimens were randomly divided into four groups: (I) control, demineralized enamel with no treatment (C); (II) demineralized enamel primarily treated with cold plasma, then bioglass paste protected with adhesive, afterward additional application of cold plasma (PBP); (III) demineralized enamel treated with cold plasma, then bioglass paste protected with light cured adhesive (PB); and (IV) bioglass paste applied to demineralized enamel and protected with light cured adhesive (B). All groups were stored in remineralizing solution for 24 h, subsequently cross-sectional micro-hardness measurements were done and then a scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) were used to examine specimen’s surface morphology and chemical analysis.

Results

Group II (PBP) showed a significant higher cross sectional micro-hardness value than bioglass group at 30 μm depth. SEM revealed numerous surface deposits of spheroidal and prismatic shape, EDS showed that the elements are mainly calcium, phosphorus with trace amount of silica and sodium.

Conclusion

Combined plasma/bioglass/plasma treatment could improve the remineralization of enamel white spot lesions.