Effect of thermal cyclic stress on acid resistance of resin-infiltrated incipient enamel lesions in vitro

This study aimed to examine the effect of thermal cycling on gap formation at the interface between infiltrated resin (ICON®) and enamel lesion and on the durability of anti-demineralization efficacy to predict the future performance. SS-OCT technique was examined to determine whether it has the potential to detect the gap. Bovine enamel lesions were prepared, and the infiltrated resin was applied to the lesion. Resin-infiltrated lesion specimens were thermal cycled 10,000 cycles and further demineralized in pH 4.5 buffer for 7 days. Released Ca (mg/cm²) was quantified by Ca electrode. The SS-OCT technique was applied to detect the gap, and SEM observation was performed to determine the presence of the gap. There was no significant difference in the amount of Ca release before and after the thermal cycling, suggesting long-lasting anti-demineralization efficacy of the resin. SS-OCT and SEM observations indicated no apparent gap formation after the thermal cycling.