Impact of Storage Conditions on Profilometry of Dental Erosions

Methods: Each five dentin and enamel samples were embedded in ceramic moulds and eroded with HCl (pH: 2.6, 2 min). Surface profiles of the samples were recorded with a stylus profilometer in three series, taking the ceramic area as reference surface. In series 1 the samples were measured while stored in water and in series 2 under ambient conditions (21°C, 35% humidity). In series 3, the samples were first completely desiccated and then re-wetted by storage in water. The profilometrical measurements were conducted at different time intervals for a period of up to 181 min (series 1 and 2) and 72 h (series 3). Linear mixed models were applied to statistically analyze the changes of the profiles with time.

Results: The results showed that only the dentin samples were affected by the storage conditions. Stable profilometrical readings for the eroded dentin samples were only feasible, when the specimens were stored in water during the complete period of the experiment including the profilometrical measurement.

Conclusions: For erosion experiments, it is recommended to store and measure dentin samples under wet conditions, when profilometrical analysis with a stylus profilometer is performed.