Introduction: Enamel demineralization occurs by acid attack during dental caries. The initial caries could be arrested by enhancement of remineralization via topical fluoride application. Although fluoride is effective in enamel protection, the safety of its use is a matter of controversy which necessitated the search for new alternatives. Theobromine is one of the promising materials in caries prevention which is safer than fluoride. The effect of the remineralizing material consistency “gel or solution" is essential to be evaluated to reach the optimum protocol.
Purpose: To compare between the gel and solution forms of both theobromine and fluoride in the remineralization potential of the demineralized human enamel.
Materials & Methods: Thirty longitudinal halves of human mandibular premolars were equally divided into 6 groups: control (C), demineralization (D) subjected to demineralizing solution then 5 days PH cycle. The remaining 4 groups were similar to demineralization group with addition of treatment material “theobromine solution (T1), theobromine gel (T2), fluoride solution (F1) and fluoride gel (F2)". The samples were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x ray analysis (EDXA).
Results: The enamel of demineralization group was porous with erosive changes exposing the subsurface enamel rods with severe rod core defects. Theobromine solution and fluoride gel groups showed improvement of the enamel surface. Fluoride solution group showed more observable enamel defects while the least favorable enamel topography was observed in the theobromine gel group. EDXA revealed that the calcium phosphorus ratio displayed a descending order: (C > T1 > F2 > F1 > T2 > D).
Conclusion: Theobromine solution and fluoride gel are more effective remineralizing agents. Fluoride solution and theobromine gel have less remineralizing potential.