Enamel matrix derivative improves remineralization of artificial root dentin caries in vitro

To determine the effect of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on remineralization of artificial root dentin caries.

Bovine root dentin blocks were placed in a demineralization solution to create artificial root dentin carious lesions. The lesions were then randomly divided into EMD group (30 g/L EMD, the experimental group), sodium fluoride (NaF) aqueous solution group (1 g/L NaF, the positive control group) and distilled and deionised water (DDW) group (the negative control group), and all the lesions were pH-cycled at 6 cycles per day for 8 d. Morphology of the lesions were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). Transverse microradiography (TMR) was used to examine mineral loss, lesion depth and mineral content.

After pH-cycling, the surface morphology by SEM and the vertical morphology by PLM suggested that EMD and NaF treatment, but not DDW, caused mineral accumulation of artificial root dentin caries. Meanwhile, TMR revealed significantly lower mineral loss, shallower lesion depth and more mineral content in the EMD group than the DDW group (P<0.05) after pH-cycling.

EMD can significantly promote remineralization of root dentin caries in vitro, and is a promising agent for non-invasive root caries therapy.