The impact of fluorinated graphene versus nanohydroxyapatite crystals on artificial white spot lesion microhardness and color change

Abstract

To compare the impact of the fluorinated graphene oxide nanosheets (FG) and nanohydroxyapatite (n-HAp) with and without microabrasion pretreatment on the cross sectional microhardness (CSMH) and color change (ΔE00) of artificially established white spot lesions. Demineralized eighty bovine enamel samples were splited into two groups (n = 40) based on the remineralizing material (n-HAp or FG), subsequently divided into two subgroups (n = 20) dependent on microabrasion pretreatment. The samples are remineralized for thirty days. ΔE00, elemental analysis employing energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) along with surface features with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was assessed. CSMH was measured at 50, 100, and 150 μm enamel depths. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and post-hoc testing (p < 0.05). FG had the highest CSMH at 100 and 150 μm depths while microabrasion with remineralizing has a highest CSMH at 50 μm. EDX revealed that FG-treated specimens had the highest Ca/P ratio (p < 0.001). FG had the highest ΔE00, whereas microabrasion with n-HAp showed the least ΔE00. FG provides greater aesthetic enhancement and remineralization than n-HAp. microabrasion did not significantly boost the remineralization. Fluorinated graphene oxide nanosheets are a promising remineralization approach for treating white spot lesions offering improved mineral recovery and aesthetic outcomes.