Ion-releasing materials (containing fuoride and boron, for example) have shown caries-preventive efects in vitro. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of multi-ion-releasing coating material on pH stabilisation, plaque
accumulation and the bacterial composition of dental plaque during a time period of 90 days. The null hypothesis tested
here was that the evaluated material would not show any diferences in pH stabilisation, plaque accumulation or bacterial
composition compared with control material.
The study was carried out as a double-blind, split-mouth, randomised, controlled clinical trial in 28 volunteers. Over the
evaluation period (days 4, 30, 60 and 90), pH measurements, plaque index and plaque sampling for bacterial analyses were
conducted in a calibrated, standardized manner. The study received ethical permission and was carried out in accordance
with the Helsinki Declaration.
A signifcant diference was observed, with less plaque accumulation over time in the subjects in whom the ion-releasing
material was applied in comparison to the non-active group. No signifcant diference was evident in terms of either pH
stabilisation or plaque levels of mutans streptococci.
The null hypothesis relating to plaque accumulation was rejected, with a lower plaque index shown for the test group up to
60–90 days. No adverse efects during the observation period were observed. Since the studied cohort was healthy from a
caries perspective, more clinical studies are needed to further evaluate the caries-prevention potential of the ion-releasing
material in other patient groups