INTRODUCTION:Minimal intervention approaches are now utilized to remineralize carious lesion and maintain a functional tooth. Remineralizing agents as silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was found to be able to arrest caries lesions by effectively remineralizing the demineralized tooth structure. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate and compare the remineralizing effect of 38% SDF and 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish on dentin caries-like lesions of primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty sound primary teeth were selected. The enamel layer of each tooth on the labial surface was removed exposing the dentin, which was then covered with nail varnish exposing a 4x4 dentin window that underwent demineralization. Each tooth was sectioned through the window labiolingually into mesial and distal specimens. One half was treated with test material (test group), while the other was left untreated (control group). Specimens were assigned to 2 groups according to treatment agent; group I: 20 specimens were treated using 38% SDF, group II: 20 specimens were treated using 5% NaF. Evaluation was conducted using Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and Polarized light microscope. Independent t test was used to compare between groups while within group comparisons were done using Repeated Measures ANOVA followed by post hoc test with Bonferroni correction while paired t test was used to compare lesion depth within group. Significance level was set at P value 0.05 RESULTS: Both groups showed a statistically significant percentage increase in calcium (P=0.002) and calcium phosphate ratio (P<0.0001). This increase was in favor of SDF. Statistically significant percent reduction in lesion depth was found in the SDF group in comparison to the NaF group (83.18 (7.76) and 45.73 (12.76) respectively, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: 38% SDF solution and 5% NaF varnish showed remineralizing effect on artificial carious dentin. However, SDF demonstrated superior reineralizing potential than NaF in terms of mineral content as well as lesion depth.

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According to the finding in the current study, the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. Therefore, intervention is required for the vulnerable populations.