Role of Portable Optical Reflectometer in Detecting Erosion/Abrasion: a RCT

Objectives: The aim of this in vivo study was to assess the capability of a portable optical reflectometer in detecting early dental erosion, with or without abrasion, and evaluating the effect of treatments.
Methods: This was a randomized clinical study with 72 individuals, divided into two treatment groups and three wear conditions: Control (mouthwash with 30 ml of water for 30 seconds), and stannous chloride and Olafluor amine fluoride (mouthwash with 30 ml of solution for 30 seconds). Each group was further divided into three conditions: Control (mouthwash with 30 ml of water), Erosion (mouthwash with 30 ml of cola drink), and Erosion + Abrasion (mouthwash with 30 ml of cola drink followed by 15 seconds of manual toothbrushing in each incisor). After prophylaxis, surface reflection intensity of the upper central incisors was measured using a repositionable optical reflectometer. Measurements were taken, followed by a 30-second mouthwash with 30 ml of cola drink, and then measured again. Treatments were then administered, and measurements were taken immediately after treatment and 2 hours later. Finally, participants underwent one of the three wear conditions, and immediate measurements were recorded. The relative reflection intensity was calculated, and data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p<0.05).
Results: A statistically significant interaction was found between time of measurement x treatment and time of measurement x condition (p<0.05). Regardless of condition, there was an increase in percentage of reflection after treatment with stannous chloride and amine fluoride, and a smaller decrease after the wear conditions. The percentage of reflection was significantly lower when erosion was combined with abrasion compared to erosion or control conditions.
Conclusions: The portable optical reflectometer is capable of detecting the effect of treatment and early erosion and abrasion, making it an important tool for clinical studies of dental wear.