Effects of four anticaries agents on lesion depth progression in an in vitro caries model.

PURPOSE This study compares four chemotherapeutic regimens used for inhibiting carious lesion progression: silver nitrate (AgNO3); silver fluoride/stannous fluoride (AgF/SnF2); silver diammine fluoride (SDF); and chlorhexidine (CHX). METHODS For this study, a bacterial model system containing Mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacilli casei (L) was used to generate carious lesions on 85 extracted sound permanent third molars which were randomly assigned to four test groups and one control group. At week two, the four treatment regimens were applied to the lesions (one treatment per test group). RESULTS Six weeks later, lesions treated with a single AgF/SnF2 or AgNO3 application demonstrated 29% and 19% less lesion progression, respectively, than did the control group (P < 0.05). SDF and CHX did not differ significantly from the control. CONCLUSION AgF/SnF2 and AgNO3 may be useful in slowing down carious lesion depth progression.