Dental erosion: in vitro model of wine assessor's erosion.

Abstract

Wine makers and assessors frequently experience severe dental erosion. The objectives of this study were to develop an in vitro model of dental erosion caused by frequent wine contact with teeth, and to use this model to assess the effectiveness of a variety of methods which might protect against this form of erosion. An initial pilot study found that riesling style wine was more erosive than champagne style, and both more than claret. Wine tasting was simulated by subjecting exposed windows of enamel and root surfaces on 50 intact, extracted human teeth to 1400 one minute exposures to white wine (ph 3.2). A variety of dental materials were applied to the exposed windows on groups of teeth prior to erosive challenge, to assess their protective ability. Protective resin coatings and fluoride varnishes protected both enamel and roots against wine induced erosion. A high degree of protection was provided by apf gel, with less by naf gel. It was concluded that dentists may be able to help minimise erosion resulting from frequent wine-tasting in their patients by the clinical application of one or a combination of these agents at times prior to prolonged assessment periods.