Background: High intake of acidic foods and beverages has been often associated with the onset of dental erosive wear. Objetive: This study in vitro assessed the pH of different mineral waters marketed in Brazil and their effects on the properties and surface of dental enamel. Methods: Forty-eight bovine incisor specimens were divided into four groups (n=12): CG-control group, PeG-Perrier, PrG-Prata, and SLG-São Lourenço. The immersion cycles were performed after analysis of the pH of the waters, for 5 days (5 minutes in mineral water and 60 minutes in artificial saliva). Knoop micro-hardness was assessed by means of three indentations with a load of 50kgf for 15 seconds, and surface roughness with a cut off of 0.25mm. The data were analysed using Student's t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey test, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The groups of waters with lower pH (Perrier® and São Lourenço®) exhibited a reduction in Knoop micro-hardness (p<0.0001) and an increase in surface roughness (p=0.04 and p=0.004, respectively). The Prata water group did not exhibit significant changes in Knoop micro-hardness (p=0.07) and surface roughness (p=0.26). Conclusion: Mineral waters with a pH below the critical value can lead to a reduction in surface hardness and roughness in the bovine enamel.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding and airborne particle abrasion using aluminum oxide particles on the flexural strength of a joint between ceramic and cobalt-chromium alloys. Methods: The specimens were cast and welded using TIG, then divided into 6 groups (n = 10) and subjected to blasting with 250 μm, 100 μm, and 50 μm aluminum oxide particles. Ceramic systems were applied to the central part of all specimens. A three-point bending test using a velocity of 0.5 mm/m was performed on the specimens to measure flexural strength. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. Results: TIG welding demonstrated the lowest resistance compared with the non-welded groups. Airborne particle abrasion using 250 μm aluminum oxide particles demonstrated greater resistance in the welded groups (p < 0.05). Mixed faults were found in all specimens. Conclusion: TIG welding decreased the bond strength, and the particle size of aluminum oxide did not affect the metal-ceramic bond in groups without TIG welding.