Abstract
Severe dental erosion could be one of the complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease and food disorders such as bulimia nervosa. The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the remineralization efficiency and the erosion prevention capability obtained by combining the use of Elmex Erosion Protection (Elm-EP) and GC Tooth Mousse (GC-TM) in cases of strongly eroded enamel surfaces. Twenty-four specimens of bovine tooth were superficially treated with hydrochloric acid to mimic severe erosion conditions. The specimens were divided into 3 groups accordingly to a different remineralizing treatment for 15 days: immersion in artificial remineralizing saliva, brushing with Elm-EP and brushing with Elm-EP in association with a daily application of GC-TM paste. After the remineralization procedures, the specimens were exposed to a treatment with acid. The effectiveness of the treatments were assessed by surface profilometric analysis and scanning electron microscopy at four different steps. Furthermore, the quantity of the Ca2+ lost during erosion was determined. The combined action of Elm-EP and GC-TM led to a 50% roughness decrease of critically eroded dental surfaces. The tandem use of Elmex Erosion Protection and GC Tooth Mousse resulted a promising protecting strategy for the prevention of the dental mineral loss.
Highlights
Dental erosion is defined as a chemical loss of dental hard tissue with a process independent from bacteria [1,2]
Concerning the origin of the erosion-causing acid, a distinction between exogenous and endogenous erosion could be made [3]: extrinsic factors include the dietary regimen and the use of some medications, while intrinsic factors are mostly correlated to diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), often affecting diabetic and obese individuals, bulimia nervosa (BN) and alcoholism [2]
The present study aims to investigate the remineralization capability and the tooth-surface protecting attitude achievable combining two commonly used home-devices in case of teeth characterized by severe enamel erosion conditions
Summary
Dental erosion is defined as a chemical (acid-related) loss of dental hard tissue with a process independent from bacteria [1,2]. The initial stage of dental erosion, that is a reversible process, is characterized by the softening of the enamel due to acidic demineralization of hydroxyapatite (HA) [4]. For this reason, the partially demineralized HA crystals may re-establish the original conformation if exposed to a favorable oral environment, at this stage [2]. The intrinsic remineralization due to the chemical composition of saliva is well documented, at physiological pH, saliva is supersaturated with phosphoprotein-stabilized Ca2+ and PO4 3− ions, which are bioavailable for hard tissue development.
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