The WSLs are optical phenomenon due the pores within the lesion’s body may be clinically appear due to difference in refractive index of sound enamel (1.62) and porous enamel (1.12) that filled with air or water (19). The light shines on the tooth is reflected, scattered or deflected to appear as opaque white spot which may compromise the esthetics if present in the esthetic zone and might progress to cavitated lesions if not managed adequately (20). Intervention with restoration of initial enamel lesions need to enamel removal extending to the subsurface zone and demineralized penetration into dentin which results in an unfavorable damage of the tooth structure (21).
There was a high correlation between visual findings and LF. Although, it is accurate measure of detecting initial carious lesion, it can be used for demineralization quantification to monitor changes with WSLs (22). Also, LF can be used prevention protocols objective by comparing to the visual examination (23). The visual examination dependent on the skills of operator and experience of assessment. It is highly recommended as high specificity characterization, despite, its low reliability, reproducibility and sensitivity (24).
In this randomized and controlled clinical study, changes in WSLs were evaluated after applying Icon resin infiltrate and PRG fluoride releasing coating material, over 12-months. WSLs were evaluated by LF measurements.
Icon group showed immediate significant decrease LF scores and in all follow-up periods. This could be due to the resin filled the intracrystalline spaces in subsurface lesion, thus sealing the pores. ICON after polymerization prevent the acid pathway to infiltrate in the demineralized body lesion and slow progression of caries (7). These results were in cope with Knösel et al. (25) and Ciftci et al (26).
Before application of Icon, etching with 15% HCL for 2 minutes, according to manufactures instructions, to remove the highly mineralized surface layer to give accessibility infiltration of subsurface lesions. Then, apply (Icon -Dry) to evaporate water from porosities to enable the resin to infiltrate and soak the pores by capillary diffusion and increasing the surface free energy (27).
Furthermore, the micro-invasive resin infiltration concept based on fills the body lesion pores with resins, via capillary action by application of low viscosity, unfilled, low resin to the WSLs. It can prevent further lesion progression by blocking the diffusion paths for cariogenic acids (28).
occludes diffusion pathways for cariogenic acids and immediately causing caries progression to slow down or even be arrested
As well as the microhardness of WSLs increased with occlusion of pathway for dissolved minerals and resin infiltration due to a uniform complex of TEGDMA resin and crystals minerals. The interaction with hydroxyapatite improved the mechanical strengths, stop caries progression and aesthetic appearance (29).
On the other hand, our finding disagreed with Markowitz K & Carey K, (30) they found that there is no difference between LF readings of sound enamel and artificial demineralized enamel. They explained the treatment of WSLs by Icon mask color and the laser device read the fluorescence obtained from bacterial porphyrin. They do not recommend using laser fluorescence in studies which using artificial created WSLs.
Regarding to PRG group our results showed immediate and after 3-months significant improvement in LF scores giving healthy condition. This may be due to the formation of polymeric physical film barrier to the caries causing microorganisms (31). Moreover, this may be due the effective hermetic sealing which act as a mechanical barrier to suppress the ingress of acid without degrading of enamel surface upon application, and the material compositions which having the ability to recharge fluoride and release other ions, as aluminum, borate, silicate, sodium and strontium, to protect enamel by acid suppression of antibacterial and mineral effect on releasing ions, bringing pH values closer to neutral (32). These results agreed with Örtengren, et al. (33), that found the application of S PRG significantly diminish accumulation of plaque over ninety days with buffering capacity.
Another reason, the PRG make mechanical barrier film to the microorganisms in the enamel surface thereby halting incipient lesions and preventing cavitation. Also with ionic activity that make covering on the surface against demineralization procedure (34).
Above all, the effect of released six ions from S-PRG fillers inhibit the demineralization of enamel by acid buffering and antibacterial activity. The acid neutralization effect is strongly accelerated by sodium, strontium, and aluminum. The strontium interacts with hydroxyapatite to form a stronger acid resistant strontioapatite. The antimicrobial effect mainly promoted by boron ions. Reduction of bacterial growth on tooth surface by ions released (35).
After 1 year, an increase in LF scores in PRG group significantly was found. This could be attributed to the internal acid base reactions for glass ionomers lead to voids and cracks. The acidic environment may affect the integrity of material and may lead to partial dissolution of coating layer (36). Also, the hydrophilic component in the material gave water sorption properties. Degradation of the material could be due to the water sorption and dissolution (37).
These explanations meet with Nascimento PL et al. (38), who found fluoride releasing coating material had the most staining discoloration even in one week. They explained that water sorption properties may be attributed to weaken the material.
Moreover, surface irregularities due to degradation of the material over time act as a room for bacteria and survive for more time. Irregularities preserve bacteria to be in contact with tooth despite of brushing. Charging of fluoride and release from PRG by time inhibit bacterial growth (39).
Otherwise, Giomers have the need to absorb water to maintain fluoride release and recharge properties of glass-ionomer cements. The material durability may be reduced by water sorption that have negative effect on bond and mechanical properties (40).
Also, there were significant increase in the LF scores in ICON group by time, this may be due to lose of the outer shell as acid conditioning and the degradation effect of the material over time. This allows entrance of the bacteria to continue the demineralization process, making the lesion prone to progression (41). This finding was in accordance with Baafif et al.,(17) who found significant differences between baseline, and all follow up intervals LF scores at the 3, 6,12 month follow up. Their explanation may be due to dissolution or degradation of the material in oral fluids after long periods.
Likewise, the degradation of resin maybe due to the increase numbers of pores that allow acid penetration and caries progression and insufficiently resin filled porosities (42).
In contrast to our results, a study by Gözetici, et al., (15) who found there was no significant differences were observed between 3 and 6 months in Icon group according to LF scores. Their explanation was that the result might be due to improved brushing habits and professional tooth cleaning at the beginning of the study.
In comparison between the two groups there were significant difference in 6- and 12-months periods with improved effect of Icon rather than PRG according to LF scores. These results of Icon showed significantly greater penetration than S PRG. This could be due to fluoride rich outer layer or hyper mineralized enamel might prevent penetration of S PRG (43). So, the hypothesis was rejected that as the PRG coating material did not improve the caries lesion state of WSLs, in comparison to Icon, over a period of one year.
Indeed, S PRG demineralized outer enamel lead to a shallower pores with low bond and decreased penetration than ICON (44). Similarly, It was observed in previous study, the longer the resin tags of a sealant the lesser is the nanoleakage and consequently the better is its sealing ability (45). Also, the depth of penetration of sealants into WSLs plays an important role in the control of caries lesion progression (46). Moreover, etching increase the enamel porosity and wettability to allow for the penetration of the low-viscosity resin (47).
These explanations meet the same results found with Hagag N et al .who compared the depth of penetration of two resin-based materials Icon and self-etch adhesive in WSLs. They found that the highest penetration depth was recorded in Icon group. They explained that the self-etch is not suitable to remove the surface layer of enamel lesions while making more surface area and pores plus the dissolution of the surface layer of the WSLs (48).
Additionally, the infiltration technique creates a diffusion barrier inside the enamel lesion strengthens the demineralized enamel with the resin matrix, preventing cavitation by control of caries progression. Therefore, a resin infiltrated layer should be able to prevent further wear and cavitation. In contrast to the application of coatings, where the diffusion barrier remains on the enamel surface as a covering resin coat (49).
Our results in agreement with Rohym et al(28) who compared the clinical performance of fluoride releasing coating material versus Icon in treatment of WSLs by LF. They found in LF scores significantly increase in 6 and 12 months for coating group more than Icon as degradation of material by time.
According to fillers content the S PRG has fillers while Icon is fillers-free. Power of penetration of low viscous S PRG is lower than high viscous ICON (50). In fact, the shallow depth of S PRG did not penetrated in microporosities while, resin infiltrate as it is unfilled (51).
Moreover, our finding in agreement with Sharma et al., who compared a fluoride rich releasing sealant and Giomer based sealants. The fluoride rich were significantly increase in retention at 1 year than Giomer. They explained that the mechanical retention of sealants is the direct result of resin penetration into micropores from etching to form micromechanical tags (52).
This result disagreed with Wakamatsu et al., who found that there was esthetic improvement and reduction in WSLs after 1 year. They explained that all subjects used the same brush and brushing motion with professional fluoride application (Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride gel). This help to increase remineralization of WSLs (53).
The limitation of our study was the improvement of S PRG remineralization and fluoride release which led to a cross effect on ICON.
Our suggestion that totals enamel conditioning prior PRG application would improve wetting and penetration for self-etching, and bioactive effects, which deserves to be evaluated in future clinical studies.