The aim of the study was to evaluate, by several methods, dental erosion in 0.1 and 1.0% citric acid in vitro and to assess the protective potential of the experimentally formed salivary pellicle (24 h in vitro). Enamel slabs were embedded in epoxy resin and polished. Erosion was performed in citric acid for 1, 5 or 10 min, and recorded as calcium release.
Results: Significant microhardness loss on non-pelliclecovered specimens was measured after 1min exposure to 0.1 % citric acid. Microhardness loss was time – and concentration – dependent. Salivary pellicle significantly inhibited both microhardness loss, except for the 10 min immersion in 1.0% citric acid.
Discussions and conclusions: The results obtained support the general conclusion that salivary pellicle effectively protects enamel surface against short-term erosion in organic acids.
- acquired salivary pellicle
- ENAMEL EROSION
- in vitro study
- MICROHARDNESS
- microscopic scanning.