| Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ferrous sulfate (FS) on demineralized and nondemineralized human deciduous teeth. Additionally, it was evaluated the penetration extent of FS and its remineralizing effect on the enamel of deciduous teeth using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). Method: The sample comprised 44 human deciduous teeth. The 44 crowns were divided randomly into four groups: group A (FS after demineralization), group B (FS without demineralization), group C (only demineralization), and group D (control group). FS at 0.45 mol/L -1 was used daily (15 days) and demineralization was done by pH cycling (7 days). Then, three longitudinal slices of the crowns were photographed using PLM. The degree of penetration of the lesion or stain was measured in micrometers, as well as the distance between the external enamel surface and the core of lesion. Results: Group A showed a dark stain on the outer surface of enamel larger than the group B. It is suggested, a remineralizing effect when comparing groups, A and C. The mean depth and standard deviation for groups A, B, and C were 4.27 µm (±1.49), 3.72 µm (±1.68) and 5.00 µm (±1.84), respectively. No dark stains were observed in group D. Conclusion: FS stained the demineralized and non-demineralized human deciduous teeth. However, dark stains in the non-demineralized teeth were smaller or absent, than in the demineralized teeth. Therefore, FS may have a protective effect against demineralization.Keywords: Ferrous sulfate, iron deficiency, dental caries, deciduous teeth. RESUMO | Objetivo:Este estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito do sulfato ferroso (SF) em dentes decíduos humanos desmineralizados e não desmineralizados. Além disso, avaliou-se a extensão da penetração do SF e seu efeito remineralizante no esmalte de dentes decíduos usando microscopia de luz polarizada (MLP). Método: A amostra foi formada por 44 dentes decíduos humanos. As 44 coroas foram divididas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos: A (SF após desmineralização), B (SF sem desmineralização), C (apenas desmineralização) e D (grupo controle). O SF a 0,45 mol/L -1 foi utilizado diariamente (15 dias) e a desmineralização foi feita por ciclagem de pH (7 dias). Em seguida, três fatias longitudinais das coroas foram fotografadas usando MLP. O grau de penetração da lesão ou mancha foi medido em micrômetros, bem como a distância entre a superfície externa do esmalte e o núcleo da lesão. Resultados: O grupo A mostrou uma mancha escurecida na superfície externa do esmalte maior do que o grupo B. Sugere-se, um efeito remineralizante na comparação dos grupos, A e C. A profundidade média e o desvio padrão para os grupos A, B e C foram de 4,27 µm (± 1,49), 3,72 µm (± 1,68) e 5,00 µm (± 1,84), respectivamente. Não foram observadas manchas escurecidas no grupo D. Conclusão: O SF manchou os dentes decíduos humanos desmineralizados e não desmineralizados. No entanto, manchas escurecidas nos dentes não desmineralizados foram menores ou ausentes, do que nos dentes desmineralizados. Portanto, o SF po...

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ferrous sulfate (FS) on demineralized and non-demineralized human deciduous teeth. Additionally, it was evaluated the penetration extent of FS and its remineralizing effect on the enamel of deciduous teeth using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). Method: The sample comprised 44 human deciduous teeth. The 44 crowns were divided randomly into four groups: group A (FS after demineralization), group B (FS without demineralization), group C (only demineralization), and group D (control group). FS at 0.45 mol/L-1 was used daily (15 days) and demineralization was done by pH cycling (7 days). Then, three longitudinal slices of the crowns were photographed using PLM. The degree of penetration of the lesion or stain was measured in micrometers, as well as the distance between the external enamel surface and the core of lesion. Results: Group A showed a dark stain on the outer surface of enamel larger than the group B. It is suggested, a remineralizing effect when comparing groups, A and C. The mean depth and standard deviation for groups A, B, and C were 4.27µm (±1.49), 3.72 µm (±1.68) and 5.00 µm (±1.84), respectively. No dark stains were observed in group D. Conclusion: FS stained the demineralized and non-demineralized human deciduous teeth. However, dark stains in the non-demineralized teeth were smaller or absent, than in the demineralized teeth. Therefore, FS may have a protective effect against demineralization.