Effect of Silver Nitrate and Sodium Fluoride with Tri-Calcium Phosphate on and Demineralised Dentine.

This study investigated the effect of 25% silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish with functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (fTCP) on a () biofilm and dentine caries lesion. Demineralised dentine specimens were treated with 25% AgNO₃ and 5% NaF + fTCP (Group 1), 25% AgNO₃ and 5% NaF (Group 2), 25% AgNO₃ (Group 3), or water (Group 4). The specimens were subjected to a biofilm challenge after treatment. The biofilm was then studied via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and colony forming units (CFU). The specimens were assessed by micro-computed tomography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM and CLSM revealed less biofilm in Groups 1 to 3. The log CFU of Groups 1 to 4 were 4.5 ± 0.7, 4.4 ± 0.9, 4.4 ± 0.9, and 6.7 ± 1.0, respectively (Groups 1, 2, 3 < 4, < 0.001). The lesion depths of Groups 1 to 4 were 212.6 ± 20.1 µm, 280.8 ± 51.6 µm, 402.5 ± 61.7 µm, and 497.4 ± 67.2 µm, respectively (Groups 1 < 2 < 3 < 4, < 0.001). XRD demonstrated silver chloride formation in Groups 1, 2, and 3. FTIR found the amide I: HPO₄ values of the four groups were 0.22 ± 0.05, 0.25 ± 0.05, 0.41 ± 0.12, and 0.64 ± 0.14, respectively (Groups 1, 2 < 3 < 4; < 0.001). In conclusion, this study revealed that AgNO₃ and NaF + fTCP reduced the damage of dentine caries by cariogenic biofilm.