The effect of a bioglass paste on enamel exposed to erosive challenge

Objectives: The current study is evaluating the effect of using a 45S5 bioglass paste and topical fluoride application on the cross sectional micro-hardness and the chemical surface changes of eroded enamel. Methods: Enamel discs were obtained from the buccal surface of one hundred extracted human non-carious third molars. The enamel surfaces were ground flat and each disc was coated with two layers of acid resistant nail varnish except for an exposed treatment window (3 mm x 2 mm) on the buccal surface of the tooth. All specimens were challenged for 60 min by orange juice (Tropicana, Chicago, USA) pH 3.85 + 0.5. The specimens were divided into four groups: the 45S5 bioglass paste group, fluoride gel group (5 min application), fluoride gel group (24 h application) while the rest of specimens served as control. The cross-sectional micro-hardness of 20 specimens from each group was measured. Five specimens from each group had their top eroded enamel surfaces examined by SEM-EDS. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the cross-sectional micro-hardness of the three groups p < 0.05. Results: 45S5 bioglass paste application significantly improved the sub-surface eroded enamel when compared to fluoride and control specimens (p < 0.05). Conclusion: 45S5 bioglass paste can efficiently improve the micro-hardness of the subsurface eroded enamel surface. Clinical significance: The use of the 45S5 Bioglass paste can be used efficiently as a potent remineralizing agent for the sub-surface enamel lesions resulting from erosive challenges. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.