Erosive Potential of Pediatric Paracetamol and Ibuprofen on Enamel: in-Vitro

Objectives: To evaluate the erosive potential of pediatric paracetamol (syrup) and ibuprofen (oral suspension) on human enamel using an in-vitro model.
Methods: Forty-eight enamel samples from third molars were divided into four groups (n=12). Each enamel block was embedded in acrylic and polished to create a flat surface. The enamel surface of each sample was divided into two zones: control (non-exposed) and experimental (exposed). The experimental zones of each group were exposed to a specific undiluted medication in a thermostatic bath (30°C, 95 RPM), for 2 minutes: Paracetamol Gesidol (PG, Eurofarma, 120 mg/5 mL), Paracetamol Kitadol (PK, Laboratorio Chile, 120 mg/5 mL), Ibuprofen Ipson (II, Saval, 100 mg/5 mL), or Ibuprofen Ethon (IE, Ethon Pharmaceuticals, 100 mg/5 mL), while the control zones were protected with insulating tape. Following exposure, the samples were rinsed with distilled water, dried, and returned to artificial saliva. Surface microhardness was measured in both the non-exposed and exposed zones using a Vickers microhardness tester (1.961 N force, 15-second dwell time). Statistical analysis included Shapiro-Wilk and Bartlett tests for normality and variance homogeneity, followed by paired t-tests to compare the non-exposed and exposed zones within each sample (α=0.05). The pH of the medications was measured using a calibrated pH meter.
Results: A reduction in enamel microhardness was observed in all groups. Percentage reductions were 19.94% for PG, 17.62% for PK, 15.88% for II, and 24.93% for IE. Significant differences were found between the non-exposed and exposed zones for PG (p<0.05) and IE (p<0.05), indicating a high erosive potential. PK and II showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). Medication pH values ranged from 3.96 to 5.03.
Conclusions: Both pediatric paracetamol (syrup) and ibuprofen (oral suspension) exhibit erosive potential on human enamel. PG and IE demonstrated significant reductions in enamel microhardness, suggesting a higher erosive potential compared to PK and II.