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The Effect of Copper on Demineralization of Dental Enamel

¹ Paediatric Dentistry and
² Oral Biology, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9LU, UK

^* corresponding author, den2aa{at}leeds.ac.uk

Previous studies have concluded that copper might inhibit enamel demineralization in vitro. Our aim was to assess the effect of copper (Cu²⁺), with and without amine fluoride, on human dental enamel under cariogenic challenge in situ. In a double-blind randomized four-leg crossover trial, 14 individuals wore a removable appliance containing 2 enamel slabs, 1 containing an artificial caries lesion. During each leg, the appliance was exposed twice daily to one of the test solutions: 1.25 mM CuSO₄, amine fluoride (250 ppm F), copper and amine fluoride combined, or a placebo (water). A cariogenic challenge was provided in all cases by 5 daily exposures to 10% sucrose. Slabs were assessed before and after 21 days’ exposure by Knoop microhardness and transverse microradiography. Significantly less demineralization was observed with Cu²⁺ and fluoride in combination than with fluoride treatment alone (p < 0.05), whereas copper alone had no significant protective effect.

KEY WORDS: amine fluoride • copper • demineralization • enamel