In situ remineralization of early enamel lesions by a fluoride chewing gum was studied. Human enamel specimens with subsurface lesions were mounted in removable lower appliances for 6 adults. Subjects used a F-free dentifrice 3 ×/day and chewed five sticks/day for the F gum group (0.1 mg F/stick) or five sticks of sugarless gum. No gum was chewed for controls. Surface microhardness was performed on: (1) sound enamel; (2) lesions; (3) after intraoral exposure, and (4) after acid-resistance testing (ART). Separate specimens were etched and measured for F uptake and image analyses on microradiographs were performed for all regimens. ΔZ values were calculated and converted to percent of mineralization. Values for F gum were significantly higher (p > 0.05) than non-F gum and controls for ART, percent remineralization, and F uptake up to 70 μm depth.

Remineralization of early enamel lesions was studied in situ using a F chewing gum or a F-releasing device (FRD). Enamel specimens with subsurface lesions were mounted in removable lower appliances in 6 adults. A F-free dentifrice was used for all regimens. Test groups chewed five sticks/day (0.1 mg F/stick), or one FRD (0.5 mg F/day) was mounted in the midline of the appliance. The microhardness was measured after the 21-day intraoral exposure, and in vitro acid resistance testing was performed. Separate specimens were used to measure F content or changes in mineral density. Comparable values for both F gum and FRDs were higher (p > 0.05) than controls for acid resistance testing and percent remineralization. The F content for FRDs exceeded that of both F gum and controls.