Remineralization of Enamel Surface in Situ by Nano-Chitosan Hydroxyapatite

The process of caries begins with hard tissue demineralization by organic acids produced from fermented carbohydrates by cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque. Remineralization is a slow process compared to demineralizationso that the provision of remineralization material is needed to reduce the demineralization process. This research aims to compare the effect of hydroxyapatite and nano-chitosan hydroxyapatite gel in reducing enamel demineralization by using SEMEDX to find the amount of content (weight %) of calcium phosphorus and morphological changes of enamel surface of enamel. Twenty four recently extracted embedded molar teeth enamel were used and divided into four groups. Group I was only immersed in clarified saliva. Group II immersed in ademineralization solution for four days. Group III immersed indemineralization solution for four days and then are applied with hydroxyapatite gel. Group IV immersed in demineralization solution for four days then given a combination of nano-chitosan hydroxyapatite gel. Statistical tests showed no significant difference in the amount of calcium and phosphorus between the email that was applied with hydroxyapatite gel and nano-chitosan hydroxyapatite gel (p- value > 0.05). Qualitative analysis using SEM shows that there is a change in the surface morphology of tooth enamel which shows the decrease in demineralization after application of hydroxyapatite gel and nano-chitosan hydroxyapatite gel. In conclusion, hydroxyapatite gel and nano-chitosan hydroxyapatite gel have the same ability to reduce the demineralization process of tooth enamel.