Comparison of the Anti-caries Effect of Polyphenol Extract of Green Tea with 0.05% Fluoride, 0.2% Cholorhexidine and Fluoride-Cholorhexidine, An In Vitro Study

Mouth rinses beside the other methods have an important role in reducing dental caries. The aim of this study was in-vitro comparison of the anti-caries effect of polyphenol extract of green tea with 0.05% fluoride, 0.2% cholorhexidine and fluoride-cholorhexidine. In this laboratory experimental study, 50 maxillary premolars were placed separately in tubes which contained cariogenic solution (streptococcus mutans, lactobacillus and 3 ml sucrose solution of 20%). Each tube regarding the rinse solution was placed in 5 experimental groups (n=10) as follows: 1) normal saline, 2) 10% solution of green tea polyphenol extract, 3) 0.05% fluoride, 4) 0.2% cholorhexidine and 5) fluoride_cholorhexidine. Every 24 hours, the teeth were rinsed with 5 mL of the rinse. After 21 hours, the depth of decay was measured by polarized light microscope. Data were analyzed by SPSS V 13.0 software using Colmogrove Smirnove, One way ANOVA and Tukey tests. The mean and standard deviation of the depth of the caries in group 1 to 5 were 194 ±16.43, 175±17.94, 142±9.34, 155±13.27, and 144±8.57, respectively. One way ANOVA showed that there were significant differences between the groups (P<0.001). Tukey test showed that although there was no significant difference in the depth of the caries between groups 1 and 2 (P=0.205), it was significantly less than groups 3 to 5 (P<0.001). There were no significant differences between the depth of the caries in group 3, 4 and 5. According to the results of the current study, the anti-caries effect of flouride_cholorhexidine was the greatest between the groups. As the anti cariogenic effect of green tea was similar to that of normal saline and significantly less than fluoride or chlorhexidine, its use as a common mouth rinse needs more research.