The Addition of Propylene Glycol Alginate to a Fluoride Solution to Control Enamel Wear: An in situ Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of propylene glycol alginate (PGA) associated with sodium fluoride (NaF) against enamel erosion and erosion-abrasion. A 4-phase, split-mouth, double-blind, crossover in situ trial was conducted with the following solutions: F + PGA (225 ppm F<sup>–</sup> + 0.1% PGA), F (225 ppm F<sup>–</sup>), F + Sn (225 ppm F<sup>–</sup> + SnCl<sub>2</sub>, 800 ppm Sn<sup>2+</sup>), and negative control (distilled water). In each phase, 12 subjects wore removable mandibular appliances containing 4 enamel specimens, which were submitted either to erosion or to erosion-abrasion challenges for 5 days. Acquired salivary pellicle was formed in situ for 2 h. Erosion-abrasion consisted of acid challenge (1% citric acid solution, pH 2.3, 5 min, 4×/day), exposure to saliva in situ (2 h, 4×/day), brushing (5 s, total 2 min exposure to the slurry), and treatment with the solutions (2 min, 2×/day). For erosion, the same procedures were performed, without brushing. At the end, surface loss (SL; in μm) was evaluated by means of optical profilometry. KOH-soluble fluoride was quantified for erosion-only groups using extra specimens. For both challenges, the SL values found for F + PGA did not differ significantly from those of F and the negative control, and the SL value shown for F + Sn was significantly the lowest. Erosion-abrasion promoted significantly higher SL values than erosion. KOH-soluble fluoride analysis showed that F + Sn had a higher fluoride concentration in comparison with the negative control and F, while F + PGA did not differ from any of the other groups. In conclusion, PGA was not able to improve the protective effect of NaF against erosive enamel wear.

Topical Agents for Nonrestorative Management of Dental Erosion: A Narrative Review

“…PGA is a natural polymer derived from brown seaweeds that is commonly used in the food and biomedical industry, such as emulsifiers, stabilisers and thickening agents [ 108 , 113 ]. It has low toxicity, low cost, and high viscosity and biocompatibility [ 108 , 113 ].…”

“…PGA is a natural polymer derived from brown seaweeds that is commonly used in the food and biomedical industry, such as emulsifiers, stabilisers and thickening agents [ 108 , 113 ]. It has low toxicity, low cost, and high viscosity and biocompatibility [ 108 , 113 ]. The carboxylic groups of the PGA can bind to the calcium ions on the tooth surface and provides a protective layer [ 108 , 113 ].…”

“…It has low toxicity, low cost, and high viscosity and biocompatibility [ 108 , 113 ]. The carboxylic groups of the PGA can bind to the calcium ions on the tooth surface and provides a protective layer [ 108 , 113 ]. The anti-erosive effect of the PGA is affected by the hydrogen ion level in acidic solutions because the hydrogen ions bind with the carboxylic groups of PGA and change the number of available carboxylic groups in PGA that can bind to calcium ions on the tooth surface [ 113 ].…”

“…The anti-erosive effect of the PGA is affected by the hydrogen ion level in acidic solutions because the hydrogen ions bind with the carboxylic groups of PGA and change the number of available carboxylic groups in PGA that can bind to calcium ions on the tooth surface [ 113 ]. PGA also competes with salivary proteins in salivary pellicle for binding sites on the tooth surface [ 113 ]. PGA with fluoride reduced bovine enamel and dentine loss after erosive challenge [ 108 , 113 ].…”

“…PGA also competes with salivary proteins in salivary pellicle for binding sites on the tooth surface [ 113 ]. PGA with fluoride reduced bovine enamel and dentine loss after erosive challenge [ 108 , 113 ]. Notably, PGA alone cannot protect the tooth surface from erosion [ 108 , 113 ].…”