Background To compare the mean mineral density (MMD) and examine the remineralization of carious dentin after cavity disinfection with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and restoration with high viscosity glass ionomer cement (H-GIC) in vitro. Methods Selective caries removal to leathery dentin was performed in 40 extracted primary molars. The samples were scanned using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to determine the MMD baseline and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): Equia™ group, applied dentin conditioner and restored with H-GIC (Equia Forte™), CHX-Equia™ group, disinfected the cavity with 2% CHX before applying dentin conditioner and restored with H-GIC (Equia Forte™), Ketac™ group, restored with H-GIC (Ketac Universal™) and CHX-Ketac™ group, disinfected the cavity with 2% CHX before restored with H-GIC (Ketac Universal™). The samples underwent micro-CT scanning post-restoration and post-pH-cycling to determine their respective MMDs. One sample from each group was randomly selected to analyze by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results The MMD gain in the 4 groups post-restoration was significantly different between the Equia™ and CHX-Ketac™ groups (oneway ANOVA with Post hoc (Tukey) test, P = 0.045). There was a significant difference in MMD gain post-restoration between the Equia™ and CHX-Equia™ groups (Independent t-test, P = 0.046). However, the Ketac™ and CHX-Ketac™ group’s MMD were similar. The SEM images revealed that the CHX-Ketac™ group had the smallest dentinal tubule orifices and the thickest intertubular dentin among the groups. However, the CHX-Equia™ group had thicker intertubular dentin than the Equia™ group. Conclusion Applying 2% CHX on demineralized dentin enhances the remineralization of the dentin beneath the restoration.

Objective:The purpose of this study were to compare mean mineral density(MMD) and examine the remineralized pattern of carious dentin after cavity disinfectant with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and restore with H-GIC in vitro. Materials and Methods: Selective caries removal to leathery dentin was performed in forty extracted primary molars. The samples were scanned using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) as the MMD baseline and randomly divided into 4 groups: Group A (n=10) applied dentin conditioner and restored with H-GIC (Equia Forte™), Group B (n=10) disinfected the cavity with 2% CHX for 1 minute before applied dentin conditioner and restored with H-GIC (Equia Forte™), Group C (n=10) restored with H-GIC (Ketac Universal™) and Group D (n=10) disinfected the cavity with 2% CHX for 1 minute before restored with H-GIC (Ketac Universal™). After restoration, all samples were scanned micro-CT as the MMD after restoration. All samples were subjected to pH cycling process for 14 days and scanned micro-CT as the MMD after pH cycling. One sample from each group was randomly selected to analyze by the scanned electron microscope (SEM). Results: The comparison of MMD gain after restoration among 4 groups was a significant difference between EquiaTM and CHX-KetacTM group (oneway ANOVA with Post hoc (Tukey) test, P = 0.045). Group A: the MMD gain after restoration (±SD) was 88.81 (±59.857), group B; 168.29 (±100.899), group C; 165.54 (±72.366) and group D; 183.00 (±73.096) mgHA/ccm. Moreover, there was a significant difference of the MMD gain after restoration between EquiaTM and CHX-EquiaTM group (Independent t-test, P = 0.046). But between KetacTM and CHX-KetacTM group, there was no difference. From SEM, CHX-KetacTM group had the smallest dentinal tubule orifices and the thickest intertubular dentin among 4 groups. CHX-EquiaTM group had thicker intertubular dentin than EquiaTM group. Conclusion: The groups with 2% CHX as a cavity disinfectant had higher MMD gain and thicker intertubular dentin than non-CHX group. Therefore, the application of 2% CHX on demineralization dentin enhances the remineralization of contacted dentin underneath the restoration.