Background: The initial clinical manifestation of enamel caries is a white spot lesion (WSL). It is comprised of a porous lesion body and a surface layer that is mostly unaffected. Dissolved calcium and phosphate ions that are somewhat trapped in the adjacent dental plaque biofilm re-precipitate to form it. If remineralization mechanisms are undertaken, it is anticipated that the WSL can be reverted when the process is still at an early stage.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the ex-vivo remineralization effectiveness of chitosan + nanohydroxyapatite combination on artificially induced incipient lesion using Vickers microhardness tester.
Material and Methods: Artificial caries was created chemically by immersing 40 human teeth individually in demineralizing solution for 72 hours. Then the teeth were subjected to a 10-day pH cycle. Samples were assigned to four groups: (1) Control; (2) Chitosan (3) Nanohydroxyapatite and (4) Chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite complex. Surface microhardness measurements were performed prior to lesion formation, after lesion formation and after treatment. Diagnodent was used to assess mineral loss before and after demineralization. Results: The study's findings showed that the sample from group 4 (combination of chitosan and nanohydroxyapatite) had the highest level of enamel remineralization, and when compared to the control, there was a statistically significant difference(P˂0.05). The result of this study also showed that DIAGNOdent was unable to detect mineral loss in vitro. Conclusion: We can state that the combination of chitosan and nanohydroxyapatite promoted the remineralization of artificially induced incipient caries.