Comparative In Vitro Evaluation of the Remineralization Potential of Commercial Pediatric Dentifrices Containing Herbal Ingredients (Ginger, Propolis, Aloe Vera, and Rosemary), Fluoride, and CPP-ACP on Primary Enamel: An SEM-EDX Study

Objective

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effects of fluoride- and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)-containing products and commercial pediatric dentifrices containing herbal ingredients (propolis, ginger, aloe vera, and rosemary) on artificially induced initial caries lesions in primary tooth enamel using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Materials and Methods: Eighty caries-free primary molars were randomly allocated into eight groups (n = 10): two control groups (sound and demineralized enamel), a fluoride group, a CPP-ACP group, and four commercial herbal dentifrice groups containing propolis, ginger, aloe vera, or rosemary. Artificial initial enamel lesions were created in all specimens except those in the positive control group. During a 7-day pH-cycling protocol, the treatment groups received standardized dentifrice slurry applications twice daily for 4 min. At the end of the experimental period, enamel surfaces were evaluated using SEM-EDX. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriate (p < 0.05).