In vitro effect of different concentrations of iron on the

initiation of dental caries: Pilot study

Thakib A. Al-Shalan,*BDS, MS, PhD, Amal Al-Askar,** BDS
* College of Dentistry, King Saud University,** Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 1057, Dammam 31431, KSA
email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Previous animal studies have shown that iron reduced the incidence of dental caries. Objective: The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the effect of different concentrations of iron-supplement on the initiation of dental caries on human teeth.  Materials and Methods: Sixty extracted human premolar teeth were randomly distributed into five groups (12/group). Positive control group (Group 1) did not receive any iron. Experimental groups consisted of adding iron in 100%, 50%, 25% and 12.5% concentrations as Groups 2,3, 4, and 5 respectively. Mutans Streptococci (MS) bacteria (6715) grown in Todd Hewitt Broth were used. The teeth were placed in 24-well ELISA plates (two groups / plate). On each well, a media consisting of iron (for experimental groups), bacteria and 10% sucrose was added and changed daily for 29 days. Daily assessment of any decalcification and cavitation was done.  Results: All groups receiving iron developed significantly fewer decalcification and carious lesions compared with the positive control. In addition, no cavitation was seen in all the experimental groups during the study period.  Conclusion: It is concluded that iron may have some protective action against the development of dental caries in human teeth.