Objective: Flouridated varnishes have received significant attention for potential to inhibit enamel demineralization, however, little information is available in regard to remineralization effects. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the remineralization effects of a topical fluoride varnish when applied over an incipient caries-like lesion surface compared to applying the fluoride varnish on the tooth surface surrounding the caries-like lesion.

Methods: Fifteen extracted teeth were sectioned in half and each half had the entire surface painted with an acid protective varnish with the exception of a 1mm x 5mm window. Artificial caries-like lesions were created on these exposed windows with a buffered artificial caries solution. Axial sections of 100µm were cut longitudinally through the artificial lesion and photographed under polarized light microscopy. Lesion areas were quantitated with a computerized imaging system. The sections were repositioned into the tooth, the lateral walls of the section being varnished with non-fluoridated varnish, leaving only the surface exposed. Half of the specimens were painted with a 5% NaF varnish, including the surface of the caries-like lesion. The remaining half were painted with the same varnish, excluding the surface of the caries-like lesion. The sections were placed in artificial saliva for 30 days, then re-photographed with polarized light microscopy. Lesion areas were again quantitated and compared to the prior baseline measurements.

Results: The results demonstrated the mean (± S.E.) percent remineralization of lesion size to be 10.8 (4.8) for lesions completely covered by the fluoridated varnish and 9.5 (2.9) for lesions that had the fluoridated varnish surrounding the lesion.

Conclusion: Both application techniques indicated remineralization effects, yet there was no significant difference between the two application techniques evaluated in this study (p<0.05).

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