Effect of 3.8% Ag(NH_3)_2F Solution as an Anti-caries Agent on Dentin in Artificial Mouth Model System using Actinomyces naeslundii

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3.8% and 38% Ag (NH_3)_2F solutions as a caries-preventive agent on dentin surfaces in the artificial mouth model system. A total of 36 bovine dentin slabs were divided into three groups : 3.8% Ag (NH_3)_2F and 38% Ag (NH_3)_2F application groups and a control group. Actinomyces naeslundii, selected as having an important role in dentin caries, was used in this experiment. Several parameters concerning caries development were evaluated by the following methods : the amount of artificial biofilm, the changes in pH, the changes in dentin microhardness measured by a hardness tester, and element quantitative analysis for silver and fluorine elements by an energy dispersive X-ray micro analyzer. The dentin specimens in the 3.8% and 38% Ag (NH_3)_2F application groups had significantly less hardness reduction than the specimens in the control group (p