Recaldent Chewing Gum with CPP-ACP and Xylitol

CLINICAL TRIAL OF RECALDENT CHEWING GUM
2,720 students chewed sugar-free gum three times a day for two years. The study found that subjects who chewed Recaldent Gum had significantly lower rates of dental decay progression on their teeth than those who chewed a standard sugar-free gum.

The CPP-ACP (casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate) complex used in Recaldent was developed by Professor Eric Reynolds and his research team in the School of Dental Science at The University of Melbourne. The complex is derived from peptides isolated from the milk protein casein, complex with calcium and phosphate, and has been found to be effective at replacing lost minerals – or remineralizing – decay-damaged teeth. This trial sought to measure any caries (dental decay) preventive effect of chewing sugar-free gum containing the CPP-ACP complex (Recaldent), when compared to a standard sugar free chewing gum.

The progression or regression of caries over the course of the study was measured by dentists using visual-tactile examinations and digital bitewing radiographs. All radiographic images were examined and scored by a single dentist in a dedicated room with controlled light level and monitor settings.

Subjects chewing Recaldent gum demonstrated a statistically significant difference in radiographically diagnosed approximal carious lesions compared with those chewing the control sugar-free gum. The trial found that not only did the Recaldent group have a smaller number of tooth surfaces in which caries lesions had progressed over the two years, but this group also had a greater number of lesions that had regressed – or remineralized. The regressions involved predominantly remineralisation of enamel lesions, but also a small number of dentine lesions.

The trial results found that chewing Recaldent gum provided an increased preventive effect beyond that achieved through good, basic oral care habits and chewing sugar-free gum. The results confirm the findings of short-term in situ remineralisation studies, and demonstrate the long-term outcomes of regular exposure of teeth to the CPP-ACP complex. The conclusion of the clinical trial was that chewing Recaldent can be regarded as an additional caries prevention tool, over and above other accepted preventive strategies such as water fluoridation and the use of fluoridated toothpaste. For subjects chewing the Recaldent gum, the odds of a tooth surface experiencing caries progression were 18% less than for subjects chewing the standard sugar-free gum.

MV Morgan, GG Adams, DL Bailey, CE Tsao, SL Fischman, EC Reynolds. The Anticariogenic Effect of Sugar-Free Gum Containing CPP-ACP Nanocomplexes on Approximal Caries Determined Using Digital Bitewing Radiography in Caries Research, 42:171-184 (2008).