Experimental toothpastes containing beta-TCP nanoparticles functionalized with fluoride and tin to prevent Erosive Tooth Wear.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to synthesize toothpastes containing Beta- TriCalcium Phosphate (beta-TCP) nanoparticles, functionalized with fluoride and tin, and test their ability to reduce erosive tooth wear (ETW). METHODS: Toothpastes were synthesized with the following active ingredients: 1100 ppm of fluoride (as sodium fluoride, F(-)), 3500 ppm of tin (as stannous chloride, Sn(2+)), and 800 ppm of beta-TCP (Sizes a - 20 nm; and b - 100 nm). Enamel specimens were randomly assigned into the following groups (n = 10): 1. Commercial toothpaste; 2. Placebo; 3 F(-); 4. F(-) + beta-TCP(a); 5. F(-) + beta-TCP(b); 6. F(-) + Sn(2+); 7. F(-) + Sn(2+) + beta-TCP(a) and 8. F(-) + Sn(2+) + beta-TCP(b). Specimens were subjected to erosion-abrasion cycling. Surface loss (in microm) was measured by optical profilometry. Toothpastes pH and available F(-) were also assessed. RESULTS: Brushing with placebo toothpaste resulted in higher surface loss than brushing with F(-) (p = 0.005) and F(-) + beta-TCP(b) (p = 0.007); however, there was no difference between F(-) and F(-) + beta-TCP(b) (p = 1.00). Commercial toothpaste showed no difference from Placebo (p = 0.279). The groups F(-), F(-) + beta-TCP(a), F(-) + beta-TCP(b), F(-) + Sn(2+), F(-) + Sn(2+) + beta-TCP(a) and F(-) + Sn(2+) + beta-TCP(b) were not different from the commercial toothpaste (p > 0.05). Overall, the addition of beta-TCP reduced the amount of available fluoride in the experimental toothpastes. The pH of toothpastes ranged from 4.97 to 6.49. CONCLUSIONS: Although toothpaste containing beta-TCP nanoparticles protected enamel against dental erosion-abrasion, this effect was not superior to the standard fluoride toothpaste (commercial). In addition, the functionalization of beta-TCP nanoparticles with fluoride and tin did not enhance their protective effect. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although beta-TCP nanoparticles have some potential to control Erosive Tooth Wear, their incorporation into an experimental toothpaste appears to have a protective effect that is similar to a commercial fluoride toothpaste.