【Overview】 A study on tooth remineralization with MISOKA, a mineral-coated toothbrush, was conducted by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University. The result of this study shows that the remineralization rate of MISOKA toothbrush was double the rate of a non-mineral-coated toothbrush. In order to corroborate the result from the first experiment, the study team conducted the same experiment for a second time.
【What is tooth remineralization?】 Tooth remineralization is a natural process protecting teeth from demineralization which is loss of calcium dissolved from tooth enamel due to acids. Saliva plays a vital role in tooth remineralization process, which helps in fighting against the early stage of tooth decay.
【Procedure】
Blocks containing enamel were produced from extracted cattle teeth. These blocks were then immersed in a demineralizing solution at 37℃ for seven days, yielding demineralized enamel blocks.
The experiment was conducted under the following three different conditions: Group A: mineral-coated MISOKA with distilled water, Group B: non-mineral coated MISOKA with distilled water, and Group C: non-mineral coated MISOKA with toothpaste which contains fluoride (1450ppm).
Each demineralized enamel block was divided into two different areas: a demineralized area coated with nail varnish, and an area without any coating for remineralization. Next, a cycle of demineralization and remineralization was repeated seven times. During the cycle of demineralization and remineralization, the blocks were brushed under the above mentioned three different conditions: A, B, and C, and then immersed in the 37℃ demineralizing solution for four hours. After that, they were brushed again and then immersed in the demineralizing solution for 19 hours. After the last cycle of remineralization, the nail varnish on each enamel block was removed using acetone, the blocks were fixed with formalin, and then were contact micro radiogram photographed. The film was digitally photographed with an optical microscope and then each area of demineralization and remineralization was measured in order to calculate the remineralization rate.
【Result】
Observing the photographed film with an optical microscope, the demineralized enamel block of Group B did not show any remineralization; however, the enamel blocks of Group A and Group C did show remineralization. In addition, the remineralization rate of Group A was more than twice the rate of Group C.
The result of this study suggests that mineral-coated MISOKA toothbrush has a probable effect in promoting remineralization of tooth enamel. It also suggests that the mineral coating technology on MISOKA may promote remineralization better than toothpaste with a high fluoride concentration.
