IN VITRO REMINERALIZING EFFECT OF TWO MOUTHWASHES ON THE ENAMEL OF DEMINERALIZED PERMANENT MOLARS

Rodríguez-Chávez D.S.; Curo-Valdivia Y.F.; Portales-Carbonel C.X. · Revista Cientifica Odontologica (2026) · DOI: 10.21142/2523-2754-1402-2026-289

Resumen

Objective: To compare the in vitro remineralizing effect of two mouthwashes on the enamel of demineralized permanent molars. Materials and methods: The study was experimental and conducted in vitro. Twenty healthy third molars were used. They were randomly divided into two groups (xylitol mouthwash vs. fluoride mouthwash). After demineralizing the tooth crowns with 37% orthophosphoric acid, they were immersed in the mouthwash treatments at 37 °C for 15, 30, and 45 days, with mouthwash replacement every 3 days. The degree of remineralization was evaluated in 150-250 µm sections under a polarized light microscope (EUROTECH), using the following scale: 0 (no change), 1 (superficial), 2 (sub superficial), and 3 (deep). The Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman test, and Holm post hoc test were used (p < 0.05). Results: The fluoride mouthwash showed significantly higher remineralization Grades than xylitol at all time intervals: at 15 days, 60% vs. 30% grade 1 (p = 0.481); at 30 days, 20% grade 1, 60% grade 2, and 20% grade 3 vs. 50% grade 1 and 10% grade 2 (p = 0.052); and at 45 days, 60% grade 3, 40% grade 2 vs. 30% grade 1 and 30% grade 2 (p = 0.043). Both treatments showed significant evolution over time (p = 0.001), but only fluoride reached its maximum effect at 45 days. Conclusion: Both mouthwashes showed a remineralizing effect on demineralized enamel; however, fluoride had a significantly superior effect. © Los autores, 2026. Publicado por la Universidad Científica del Sur (Lima, Perú).

Instituciones: Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego