Clinical effectiveness of the vitamin–mineral dietary supplement Cigapan for caries prevention in children

Relevance. Investigation of the effects of systemic interventions on the mineralization of dental hard tissues represents a promising direction in preventive pediatric dentistry. In contrast to topical remineralizing agents, whose effectiveness has been demonstrated in numerous clinical studies, the role of systemic preventive approaches, including dietary supplementation, in reducing dental caries in children remains insufficiently studied and requires further clinical validation. Objective. To evaluate the clinical and diagnostic effectiveness of the dietary supplement Cigapan in improving the condition of dental hard tissues and periodontal tissues in children. Materials and methods. The study included 60 children aged 8–17 years (mean age, 12 years). Participants were stratified into two groups according to caries experience: Group 1 (n = 30), children with low to moderate caries experience (DMFT < 4.5), and Group 2 (n = 30), children with high to very high caries experience (DMFT > 4.5). Dental status assessment involved evaluation of permanent teeth using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), the DMFT index, the enamel acid resistance test (TER test), and the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II). The degree of demineralization of initial enamel lesions in permanent teeth was measured by laser fluorescence using the DIAGNOdent Pen 2190 (Germany). Periodontal tissue status was assessed using the Papillary–Marginal–Attached (PMA) index and the Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI). To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the preventive intervention incorporating Cigapan, changes in dental and periodontal tissue parameters were monitored in both groups over a three-month follow-up period. Results. The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the extent of focal enamel demineralization and in the severity of demineralization of initial enamel lesions in both study groups (p < 0.05). In children with DMFT < 4.5 (Group 1), complete resolution of initial enamel lesions classified as ICDAS II code 1 was observed. The prevalence of ICDAS II code 2 lesions decreased by 78.6%. Laser fluorescence measurements indicated a 67.6% increase in mineralization within affected enamel sites (p < 0.05), confirming the effectiveness of the intervention. In children with high caries activity (Group 2), a statistically significant reduction in ICDAS II code 1 lesions was also recorded, with a decrease of 76.9% (p < 0.05). According to DIAGNOdent Pen 2190 measurements, mineralization levels in demineralized enamel areas increased by 72.4% compared with baseline values (p < 0.05). A reduction in ICDAS II code 2 lesions was likewise observed (26%), accompanied by a 53.9% increase in enamel mineralization as assessed by laser fluorescence; all observed differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Incorporation of the dietary supplement Cigapan as part of systemic preventive therapy within a comprehensive prevention program led to improvements in oral hygiene and gingival health in children, reduced enamel permeability, increased acid resistance of permanent teeth, a decreased prevalence of early carious lesions, and enhanced mineralization in areas of enamel demineralization.