Anti-erosive effect of different toothpastes

Method: Twenty four caries free extracted human molars were divided into three groups of eight teeth. Surface roughness of six teeth in each group was determined using optical profilometry. Two teeth were used for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Surface roughness and SEM morphology was studied on sound enamel, after erosion with lemon juice (Hitchcock, Mönchengladbach, Germany) and after tooth brushing simulation for six months with amine fluoride (AmF, Elmex (Gaba, Lörrach, Germany), sodium fluoride (NaF, Eurodont, Aldi, Germany) and hydroxyapatite/zinc carbonate (HAP/ZnCO₃), Biorepair, Dr. Kurt Wolff GmbH & Co. KG, Bielefeld, Germany) containing toothpastes. The roughness values (Ra values) were compared using the nonparametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test for related variables and post hoc Bonferroini adjustment.

Result: Surface roughness increased significantly (p<0.001) after surface erosion. After tooth brushing it decreased to the roughness values of sound enamel. No significant differences were found between sound enamel and after tooth brushing and between the different toothpastes. SEM revealed a mild prism core demineralization which was reversible after tooth brushing.

Conclusion: There are no differences in the anti-erosive effects of AmF, NaF and HAP/ZnCO₃ containing toothpastes.