Evaluation of the efficacy of various remineralization agents and grape seed extract on microhardness and lesion depth of primary tooth enamel: An in vitro study.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of grape seed extract (GSE) on the remineralization of primary tooth enamel alone or in combination with remineralizing agents.

Methods: The initial microhardness value of 90 primary tooth enamel samples was calculated; then, the samples were demineralized. The post-demineralization hardness of the samples was measured and the samples were randomly divided into 6 groups as follows: G1: negative control, G2: GSE, G3: NaF, G4:Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), G5: GSE+NaF, and G6: GSE+CPP-ACP (n=15). Oral environment pH cycle was applied and hardness measurements were repeated after treatments. The samples were stained with 1% rhodamine B dye and sectioned, and the lesion depth was measured. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

Results: The hardness decrease of the GSE and GSE+NaF groups was less than the other groups (P<0.05). The decrease was also less in the other groups than in the control group (P>0.05). GSE showed a positive effect when combined with NaF in maintaining microhardness but did not show the same effect when combined with CPP-ACP (P<0.05). Concerning penetration depth, all the groups had statistically lower values than the control group (P<0.05). The lowest penetration rates were observed in the GSE+NaF and GSE+CPP-ACP groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The lowest hardness decrease was observed in the GSE and GSE+NaF groups, and the lowest penetration rates were observed in the GSE+NaF and GSE+CPP-ACP groups. It has been determined that a 15% GSE solution might be used as an alternative to fluoride in primary tooth remineralization and can increase the effectiveness of fluoride when used together.