Studies on dental erosion: An in vitro model of root surface erosion

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association (8th Jan 2008). An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Most research on dental erosion has focused on erosion in enamel. However, the increasing retention of teeth into old age has increased the potential for root surface erosion. The nature and kinetics of root surface erosion have not yet been adequately explored. The objective of this project was to develop an in vitro model of root surface erosion in order to investigate the polarised light microscopy of controlled erosion and the histology and rate of demineralisation of this process in root cementum/dentine. The results demonstrate a process quite different in outcome from that in enamel erosion. Erosion results in loss of volume of enamel. However, it leaves a root surface softened though with little volume loss so long as the demineralised collagen remains hydrated. The polarised light histology was similar to that seen in root surface caries. The rate of erosive demineralisation of tooth roots by selected acids was investigated, with differing rates of demineralisation similar to that seen in enamel erosion observed. The process of erosion showed evidence of significant diffusion control.I. White, J. McIntyre and R. Loga

Studies on dental erosion: An in vivo-in vitro model of endogenous dental erosion - its application to testing protection by fluoride gel application

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Background: The objective in this study was to develop an in vivo-in vitro model of endogenous erosion, with a view to exploring the potential for some degree of its control by the use of topical fluoride gel application to teeth. Methods: Six volunteers each wore a small clasp retained palatal acrylic appliance to which six sterilized enamel tiles were bonded. Three tiles on each appliance were coated extra-orally with either 1.23 per cent acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) or 2.2 per cent sodium fluoride (NaF) neutral gel for four minutes prior to multiple periods of exposure to the simulated gastric acid, cumulating in 16, 36, 80 and 150 minutes of exposure. Impressions of the enamel tiles prior to and following acid exposure permitted dies to be prepared. These were sectioned through the exposed areas and examined under a stereomicroscope to assess maximum depths of erosion. Results: The depth of erosive demineralization of enamel was found to be greatly reduced with increased frequency of APF gel application. The reduction in enamel loss was less following topical application of NaF gel. Conclusions: It was concluded that fluoride gels significantly reduced enamel erosion using this in vivo-in vitro model and therefore, if prescribed appropriately, should help reduce tooth tissue loss from endogenous erosion.L Jones, D Lekkas, D Hunt, J McIntyre and W Rafi

Fluoride content and recharge ability of five glassionomer dental materials

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The relationship between fluoride content and fluoride release for glass-ionomer cements is not well understood. The aim of this laboratory study was: to determine the fluoride concentrations at the surfaces of glass-ionomer materials with respect to different storage media and different pH environments; to examine the recharge ability of the materials after NaF immersion; and to assess the morphological changes at the material surfaces using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopic techniques (SEM/EDS).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Five glass-ionomer materials, Fuji Triage (FT), Fuji II LC (FII), Fuji VIII (FVIII), Fuji IX GP (FIX), and Ketac N100 (KN), were analyzed in this study. Resin-based fluoride releasing material Helioseal F (HSF) was used as a comparison material. The sample consisted of 120 cured cement disks (n = 20 disks of each tested material, 10 × 1.5 mm). Five disks of each material were stored in 4 different storage media (I- saline, II- acidic solution ph = 2.5, III- acid solution ph = 5.5, IV- NaF solution (c = 500/106). After 7 days, two disks of each material were transferred from media I, II and III to the NaF solution for 3 min. EDS analysis was conducted in 3 randomly selected spots of each experimental disk. SEM was used to determine morphological characteristics of the material surface. Differences between the experimental groups have been analyzed using Student's t-test with the level of significance set at p < 0.001.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>FT showed the highest fluoride content at the surface of the material. The lowest amounts of fluoride ions were detected at the surfaces of the FT disks stored at low pH environments, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Glass-ionomers showed significantly higher fluoride concentrations when compared to the HSF (p < 0.001). After immersion in the NaF solution, fluoride concentrations at the surfaces of the disks increased when compared with previous storage media (FT>FVIII>KN>FII>FIX). SEM analysis of the surface morphology revealed numerous voids, cracks and microporosities in all experimental groups, except for KN and HSF. More homogenous material structure with more discrete cracks was observed in samples stored at neutral pH environment, compared to disks stored in acidic solutions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The tested materials could be considered as promising dental materials with potential prophylactic characteristics due to their relatively high fluoride content, but also the ability to extensively reabsorb fluoride ions, especially in acidic environments.</p

How to do a grounded theory study: a worked example of a study of dental practices

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Qualitative methodologies are increasingly popular in medical research. Grounded theory is the methodology most-often cited by authors of qualitative studies in medicine, but it has been suggested that many 'grounded theory' studies are not concordant with the methodology. In this paper we provide a worked example of a grounded theory project. Our aim is to provide a model for practice, to connect medical researchers with a useful methodology, and to increase the quality of 'grounded theory' research published in the medical literature.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We documented a worked example of using grounded theory methodology in practice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We describe our sampling, data collection, data analysis and interpretation. We explain how these steps were consistent with grounded theory methodology, and show how they related to one another. Grounded theory methodology assisted us to develop a detailed model of the process of adapting preventive protocols into dental practice, and to analyse variation in this process in different dental practices.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>By employing grounded theory methodology rigorously, medical researchers can better design and justify their methods, and produce high-quality findings that will be more useful to patients, professionals and the research community.</p