Methods: Ninety-six dentine samples were prepared from human premolars and randomly assigned to eight groups (G1 to G8). Samples were treated for 30 s with the following solutions: placebo (G1/G2), amine fluoride (Elmex fluid; G3/G4), cerium chloride (G5/G6) and combined fluoride/cerium chloride application (G7/G8). Samples of groups G2, G4, G6 and G8 were additionally irradiated with a carbon dioxide laser through the solutions for 30 s. For the determination of acid resistance, the samples were consecutively eroded six times for 5 min with lactic acid (pH 3.0) and the calcium release in the acid was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Furthermore, six additional samples per group were prepared and subjected to EDS-analysis. Calcium release and EDS data were analysed by ANOVA and Scheffe`s post hoc tests.
Results: In the non-irradiated groups, specimens of G1 (placebo) showed the highest calcium release (42.5 ± 5.0 μg) when compared to the other treatments (G3, G5 and G7). The highest acid resistance was observed for group 7 (1.5 ± 0.7 μg). In G3, calcium release was lower than in G5, but higher than in G7. In the laser-irradiated groups, specimens of G4 and G8 (8.8 ± 2.2 μg and 8.1 ± 1.7 μg) showed the lowest calcium release while in the remaining groups (G2 and G6) the calcium release was significant higher. In general (except for the placebo groups), calcium release in the laser-irradiated groups was higher compared with the respective non-irradiated groups. EDS showed a replacement of calcium by cerium and of phosphor by fluoride.
Conclusion: Highest anti-erosive potential was found after combined cerium chloride and amine fluoride application. Laser irradiation had not adjunctive effect.