Evaluation of physical properties of enamel after microabrasion, polishing, and storage in artificial saliva

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of microabrasion and polishing on the microhardness and roughness of bovine enamel, and the effect of artificial saliva on the hardness of enamel. Bovine enamel blocks were used, forming the groups (n = 48): GI-37% phosphoric acid and pumice, GII--Opalustre, and GIII--Whiteness RM. The groups were divided into different subgroups: (a) diamond paste, (b) fluoride prophylactic paste, and (c) without polishing. Hardness tests were carried out at the following set times: (T1) initial, (T2) after microabrasion and polishing, (T3) after immersion in artificial saliva for 24 h; and (T4) after seven days of immersion. Surface roughness tests were performed. The obtained data were analyzed by two-factor ANOVA and Tukey's test with significance of 5%. Microhardness increased in T2; without polishing, only groups GII and GIII showed an increased microhardness. T3 did not differ from T4; GI, GII and GIII did not provide surface roughness that differed from each other; and all microabrasive systems followed by polishing showed a higher surface smoothness compared with the control groups. It is concluded that microabrasion followed by polishing provided higher hardness and better surface smoothness of the enamel. However, immersion in artificial saliva was not able to increase the enamel hardness.

Surface effects after a combination of dental bleaching and enamel microabrasion: An <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in situ</i> study

“…Remineralization of the in vitro specimens was not sufficient to restore the tooth enamel, a result in accordance to that reported by Fragoso et al 15) . The interaction of HS with the components of the microabrasive product seems to be significant with respect to its remineralizing action on microabraided enamel.…”

“…The results obtained from the quantitative analyzes in this present study are confirmed by the qualitative analysis using scanning electron microscopy, confirming the values found for hardness and surface roughness. Signs of demineralization and surface irregularities, which are characteristic of the erosive/ abrasive action of the microabrasive 15) , were noted in the images of the groups that received microabrasion. No surface morphology changes were observed when only the bleaching agent was applied, indicating that the SEM images were in agreement with the results of the surface roughness and microhardness tests that were used in the present study.…”

“…This significant reduction may be justified by the presence of 6.6% hydrochloric acid in the microabrasive compound. This is because the stain removal depends on the erosive action of the acid present in the microabrasive product 2,3,5,15) , justifying the reduction in mineralization of the enamel surface after microabrasion. Those current observations are in agreement with other studies 13,16) .…”

Microabrasion in tooth enamel discoloration defects: three cases with long-term follow-ups

“…This "abrosion effect" (abrasion plus erosion) may be due to the compaction of minerals resulting from the simultaneous erosive and abrasive action of the microabrasion compound on the dental enamel 11,17 . Fragoso, et al 18 (2011) after evaluating different techniques, concluded that microabrasion followed by polishing with diamond paste or fluoride prophylatic paste provided higher hardness and better surface smoothness of the enamel 18 . In 1997, Segura, et al 33 , through an in vitro polarized microscopic study, showed that enamel after microabrasion technique is more resistant to demineralization than untreated enamel surfaces.…”

Fiber optic displacement sensor for imaging of tooth surface roughness

“…A rough surface facilitates plaque retention and adhesion of microorganisms by reducing the efficacy of mastication and mechanical cleaning processes. As such, we are seeing an increasing number of studies investigating factors that modify the surface roughness of teeth in the past recent years [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”