Assessment of Change in Enamel Color and Surface Hardness Following the Use of ICON Resin Infiltration and Remineralizing Agent: An In Vitro Study

This study aimed to evaluate the change in enamel color and surface micro-hardness following the use of resin-infiltration concept material (ICON) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP) remineralizing agent. Fifty-four extracted human third molars were collected and randomly divided into three groups: group A: control with no surface treatment; group B: treated using ICON; and group C: treated using CPP-ACFP. The change in color and micro-hardness of the enamel surface were measured using spectrophotometer and Vickers hardness number, respectively. The measurements were taken at three timelines; baseline (BL), after demineralization (DM), and after surface treatment (TX). The three groups showed no significant differences in enamel color change after demineralization (p < 0.05). However, after surface treatment in relation to the baseline, groups B and C had a significant increase in color change compared to the control group (p < 0.05), and group B showed a statistically significant increase in enamel color changes compared to group C. Additionally, all groups exhibited a significant reduction in enamel micro-hardness after demineralization in comparison to their baseline (p < 0.05). Group C showed a significant increase in micro-hardness after surface treatment compared to groups A and B (p < 0.05), while group B showed a significant decrease in enamel micro-hardness compared to groups A and C (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that teeth treated with CPP-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP) show a significant improvement in enamel surface color after demineralization compared to the teeth treated with resin infiltration (ICON) and the non-treated teeth. Additionally, enamel surfaces treated with CPP-ACFP show significant enamel hardness regaining, while resin infiltration (ICON) compromises enamel surface hardness.