The aim of this in-vitro study was to assess the effect of bioglass with different concentrations on root caries.

90 freshly-extracted teeth with root caries were randomly assigned to a single-use prophylaxis paste containing 15% bioglass for 30 s with 1,450 ppmF toothpaste (15% bioglass, n=30), 1,450 ppmF toothpaste with 5% bioglass (5% bioglass, n=30), and toothpaste containing 1,450 ppmF (Control, n=30). Each sample received a standard brushing procedure for 10 s twice a day using the toothpastes. Teeth were immersed in remineralising solution with pH of 7 at 37°C for 720 h. Surface roughness (Ra) was measured at baseline and after the application of the products at 0.5, 1, 4, 12, 24, 48, 168, 336 and 720 h. Subsequently, three samples from each group were randomly selected to measure calcium ion release over 15 h immersion in deionised water. These samples were then analysed using the SEM for the qualitative assessment of lesion topography. Repeated measures ANOVA, Wilcoxon paired tests and percentage changes were carried out to assess Ra. Calcium ion release data was analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests.

After 720 h, 15% bioglass had the highest decrease in Ra (Mean-difference=1.502 µm, p=0.001), then 5% bioglass (Mean-difference=0.723 µm, p=0.09) whereas the control had the lowest Ra decrease (Mean-difference=0.518 µm, p=0.55). The differences in Ra between the groups were highly significant (p<0.001). The cumulative calcium ion release was significantly high for the 5% bioglass in comparison to the 15% bioglass, whilst the control had the lowest release (p<0.001). SEM analysis showed the presence of bioglass particles only on 15% bioglass samples.

The use of prophylaxis paste with 15% bioglass and 1,450 ppmF toothpaste was promising to reverse/arrest root caries when compared to the toothpaste containing 1,450 ppm F with 5% bioglass for a period of 30 days.