Design of erosion/abrasion studies - insights and rational concepts

In vitro and in situ studies modelling the wear of dental hard tissues due to erosion and abrasion are characterised by a high variation in study designs and experimental parameters. Based on a summary of the existing protocols, the present review aimed to describe and discuss the parameters which must be carefully considered in erosion-abrasion research, especially when it is intended to simulate clinical conditions. Experimental characteristics and parameters were retrieved from a total of 42 in vitro and 20 in situ studies. The key experimental characteristics included parameters of erosion (duration and pH) and abrasion (duration, kinds of toothbrush and toothpaste, brushing force, and time point) as well as co-factors (e.g. dental hard tissue). The majority of studies used models with alternating erosion/abrasion treatments intended to simulate clinical conditions, while other studies exaggerated clinical conditions intentionally, often using only a single erosion/abrasion treatment. Both in vitro and in situ models shared a high level of standardisation, but several studies showed a trend to severe erosion (e.g. >5 min/cycle) or extensive brushing (e.g. >100 brushing strokes/cycle) at a high frequency and repetition rate. Thus, studies often tend to produce a higher amount of wear than in the clinical situation, especially as modifying biological factors (e.g. the dilution of the erosive solution by saliva and the protective effect of the pellicle) cannot be simulated adequately. With respect to the existing models, it seems advisable to diminish duration and frequency of erosion and abrasion to more realistic clinical conditions when the everyday situation is to be simulated. Experimental parameters must be chosen with care to ensure that the problem is investigated in an appropriate mode at standardised conditions and with adequate measuring systems to allow prediction of clinical outcomes

Influence of prophylaxis paste treatment on the abrasive wear of surface sealants

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the abrasive wear of surface sealants (Seal&Protect and K-0184 (experimental sealant)) and the influence of pre-treatment with mineral deposit forming prophylaxis pastes (NUPRO Sensodyne and NUPRO) on this wear. METHODS: One hundred and eight bovine dentine samples were randomly allocated to nine groups (1-9). Pre-treatment (10 s): groups 1-3: untreated, groups 4-6: NUPRO, groups 7-9: NUPRO Sensodyne. Sealing: groups 1, 4 and 7: unsealed, groups 2, 5 and 8: Seal&Protect, groups 3, 6 and 9: K-0184 (experimental sealer). Samples were then brushed with 12 000 brushing strokes (BS) with toothpaste slurry in an automatic brushing machine (120 BS/min; F = 2.5 N). Surface profiles were recorded at baseline, after pre-treatment and sealing and after each 2000 BS. RESULTS: Total profile change (wear or gain due to pre-treatment, treatment and 12 000 BS): groups 1, 4 and 7 (no surface sealant) showed a not significantly different wear of 18.48 ± 2.63 µm, 24.98 ± 3.02 µm and 21.50 ± 5.47 µm, respectively. Remaining groups (sealed) showed a gain in height with no significant difference among each other. Wear in sealed groups (2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9) were not significantly different at all numbers of brushing strokes. Starting with 4000 BS, the wear in unsealed groups (1, 4 and 7) was statistically significantly higher compared to all other groups. CONCLUSION: Stability and wear resistance of surface sealants are not affected by pre-treatment of dentine with NUPRO Sensodyne. The surface sealants tested provide a stable protective surface layer on dentine, which lasts for at least 12 000 brushing strokes

Is bovine dentine an appropriate substitute in abrasion studies

The study aimed to compare the wear behaviour of human and bovine dentine due to toothbrushing with different relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) toothpastes. Forty human and 40 bovine dentine samples were prepared from bovine lower incisors or human premolars roots, and baseline surface profiles were recorded. The samples were distributed to four groups (each group n = 10 human and 10 bovine samples) and brushed with fluoridated experimental toothpastes with different RDAs (group A: RDA 10, B: RDA 20, C: RDA 50, and D: RDA 100). Toothbrushing was performed in an automatic brushing machine with a brushing frequency of 60 strokes per minute and a brushing force of 2.5 N. After 2, 5, 10, and 25 min of toothbrushing, new surface profiles were recorded, and the dentine wear was calculated with a customised computer programme. The dentine wear of human and bovine dentine within the four groups was compared with unpaired t tests. No statistically significant difference was recorded for the dentine wear of human and bovine samples within the different groups

Durability of the anti-erosive effect of surfaces sealants under erosive abrasive conditions

OBJECTIVE: To test the durability of sealants applied for prevention of erosive dentine mineral loss under erosive/abrasive conditions. METHODS: Forty-eight bovine dentine samples doped with (32)P were randomly allocated to four groups (1-4). All samples performed a de- and remineralizations pre-cycling (6 × 1 min erosion in HCl: pH 3.0, mean time and overnight immersion in artificial saliva) for 1 day. Sealing was done as follows; (1) unsealed, (2) Seal & Protect, (3) K-0184 (experimental sealer) and (4) OptiBond FL. After sealing, samples were immersed in HCl for 3 h (baseline measurement). Then, the following erosive/abrasive and remineralisations cycling was performed for 8 days: 3 h/day erosion with HCl, 600 brushing strokes/day and storage in artificial saliva for the rest of the day. Sealer permeability was evaluated by assignation of (32)P in the acid used for the erosive attacks. RESULTS: At baseline, the significantly highest dentine loss was observed for the unsealed control group, while the mineral loss was not statistically significantly different between the sealed groups 2 and 3. At all days of the erosive/abrasive and remineralizations cycling and cumulatively the significantly highest mineral loss was observed for group 1, while the significantly lowest mineral loss was observed for the samples sealed with Seal & Protect (group 2) and K-0184 (group 3). In all groups, no significant increase in the (32)P release was observed. CONCLUSION: Surface sealants are able to reduce the erosive dentine mineral loss and maintain this erosion-preventing efficacy over the whole duration (simulating 8 month in-vivo) of the erosive/abrasive cycling

Cerium chloride reduces enamel lesion initiation and progression in vitro

Aim: Determination of the potential of cerium chloride to reduce artificial carious mineral loss and lesion depth progression. Methods: A total of 160 enamel samples were prepared from 40 bovine lower central incisors. Crowns were sectioned into four pieces, embedded in acrylic resin, ground flat and allocated to eight groups (S1-S4 and D1-D4; n = 20). Specimens of groups D1-D4 were stored (for 7 days) in a demineralizing buffer solution to induce caries-like lesions. Afterwards, samples were treated for 30 s with one of the following solutions: placebo (S1 and D1), amine fluoride (S2 and D2), cerium chloride (S3 and D3) and a combination of fluoride and cerium chloride (S4 and D4). After another 7 (D1-D4) or 14 (S1-S4) days in demineralizing buffer solution, integrated mineral loss and lesion depth were determined by transversal microradiography and compared by Scheffé's post hoc tests. Results: In groups S1-S4, the highest values for integrated mineral loss and lesion depth were observed for group S1 (placebo), the lowest values for group S4. The results in groups S2-S4 were not significantly different. In groups D1-D4, the highest values for integrated mineral loss and lesion depth were observed for group D1 (placebo), the lowest values in groups D3 and D4. In group D2, integrated mineral loss and lesion depth were significantly lower as compared to D1, but significantly higher compared to groups D3 and D4. Conclusion: Cerium chloride and its combination with fluoride are able to significantly reduce carious mineral loss and the progression of lesion depth. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel