Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride and Potassium Iodide Solution on Enamel Remineralization and Discoloration in Artificial Caries

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a strong fluoride agent for caries control, remineralization, and reducing the incidence of dental caries. This study used 38% SDF with potassium iodide (KI) on enamel remineralization and compared it with the currently used 38% SDF and 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish to treat artificial caries. Bovine incisors were demineralized for 120 h and randomly distributed for treatment by the remineralization agents for 120 h as follows: control (n = 15), SDF/KI (n = 15), SDF (n = 15), and NaF (n = 15). Colorimetric analysis was performed using the ∆E value. The Vickers microhardness (VHN) was determined to evaluate the enamel remineralization of the specimens. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to confirm the surfaces precisely and histologically. SDF/KI caused no significant difference in discoloration between the control and NaF groups. There was also no significant difference in the VHN after remineralization, but SDF/KI exhibited the highest mean microhardness. PLM revealed that SDF/KI had the greatest remineralization ability. In conclusion, SDF/KI is effective for dental enamel remineralization even with KI, which reduces discoloration.