Influence of surfactant agents on acquired pellicle protector effect during dental erosion development

Abstract

Dental erosion can be defined as a multifactorial process that evolves tooth dissolution by intrinsic or extrinsic acids. On the last decades, the increase on the consumption of acid beverages caused a more frequent appearance of this lesion. Acquired pellicle is a biofilm, free from bacteria, that covers all tooth tissues, and its detectable few minutes after its removal by chemical dissolution or tooth prophylaxis. It acts as a selective semi-permeable membrane that prevents direct contact of the acids with enamel/dentine surface; this way this pellicle acts as an important protector from dental erosion. Dentifrices are frequently used to remove organic material form tooth surfaces and oral biofilm control, however, some of its constituents, like surfactant agents and other active ingredients, 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%) with respect of its effect on acquired pellicle during acid challenges, by means of microhardness and profilometry, besides the measurement of fluoride concentration on the dentifrices slurries and on enamel surface.