Objective: To evaluate the anti-demineralization efficacy of Galla Chinesis in pH cycling model for elucidating the anti-root caries mechanism.
Method: Anti-demineralization efficacy evaluation of the natural medicine in the pH-cycling models was used . Sound human root blocks were pH-cycled through the treatment solution, acidic buffer and neutral buffer. The cycling times for demineralization study were 12 times, 2 times per day. The acidic buffers were retained for calcium analysis by atomic adsorption spectroscopy. The sections of blocks were analysed after pH-cycling by CLSM. Treatments were 4 g x L(-1). Galla Chinesis, 1 g x L(-1) NaF solution and distilled water.
Result: Galla Chinesis was found to inhibit the demineralization in the pH cycling model. Although the effect was not as good as fluoride, there was no significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: These data suggest that Galla Chinesis could modulate the mineralisation behaviour of root tissue in a defined chemical circumstance. These findings support the proposition that Galla Chinesis may be a promising anticaries natural medicine in the future.