Objectives

  Application of the recently developed optical method based on the monitoring of the specular reflection intensity to study the protective potential of the salivary pellicle layer against early enamel erosion.

 Methods

  The erosion progression was compared between two treatment groups: enamel samples coated by the 15h-in vitro-formed salivary pellicle layer (group P, n=90) and the non-coated enamel surfaces (control group C, n=90). Different severity of the erosive impact was modelled by the enamel incubation in 1% citric acid (pH=3.6) for 2, 4, 8, 10 or 15min. Erosion quantification was performed by the optical method as well as by the microhardness and calcium release analyses.

 Results

  Optical assessment of the erosion progression showed erosion inhibition by the in vitro salivary pellicle in short term acidic treatments (≤4min) which was also confirmed by microhardness measurements proving significantly less (p<0.05) enamel softening in the group P at 2 and 4min of erosion compared to the group C. SEM images demonstrated less etched enamel interfaces in the group P at short erosion durations as well.

 Conclusions

 Monitoring of the specular reflection intensity can be successfully applied to quantify early erosion progression in comparative studies. In vitro salivary pellicle (2h) provides erosion inhibition but only in short term acidic exposures.

 Clinical significance

  The proposed optical technique is a promising tool for the fast and non-invasive erosion quantification in clinical studies.

 Source: Journal of Dentistry

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