Influence of different surfactants on the protective effect of pellicle on enamel erosion development

Abstract

Dental erosion can be defined as a multifactorial process that evolves tooth dissolution by intrinsic or extrinsic acids. Acquired pellicle is a biofilm, free from bacteria, that covers all tooth tissues, and acts as a selective semi-permeable membrane that prevents direct contact of the acids with enamel/dentine surface. Dentifrices, frequently used in the biofilm control, have some constituents, like surfactant agents and other active ingredients, that influences on the adsorption of salivary proteins, and may directly affect the formation of salivary pellicle and fluoride release on oral environment. Thus, it seems interesting to verify the action of the surfactant agents on the protector effect of the acquired pellicle, and on the interaction of fluoride with enamel. Three different surfactants will be tested (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Polysorbate 20 and Cocamidopropyl Betaine), in 2 different concentrations (1.0% and 1.5%). Bovine enamel samples will be selected and submitted to acid challenges during 5 days, with immersion in human saliva for acquired pellicle formation and immersion in the dentifrices slurries. After the first day, the initial erosion will be measured with microhardness and after five days, the structure loss will be determined by profilometry. Beside these tests, the effect of the surfactant agents in the fluoride release will be measured by fluoride clearance in the slurries and adhered on the enamel surface. (AU)