The primary enamel structure showed a lower level of Ca and P, thinner thickness and higher numerical density of rods.

This study evaluated the influence of a cola-type soft drink and a soy-based orange juice on the surface and subsurface erosion of primary enamel, as a function of the exposure time. Seventy-five primary incisors were divided for microhardness test (n=45) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis (n=30). The specimens were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1 - artificial saliva (control); 2 - cola-type soft drink; and 3 - soy-based orange juice. Immersion cycles in the beverages were undertaken under agitation for 5 min, 3 times a day, during 60 days. Surface microhardness was measured at 7, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. After 60 days, specimens were bisected and subsurface microhardness was measured at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 200 µm from the surface exposed. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (a=0.05). Groups 2 and 3 presented similar decrease of surface microhardness. Regarding subsurface microhardness, group 2 presented the lowest values. SEM images revealed that after 60 days the surfaces clearly exhibited structural loss, unlike those immersed in artificial saliva. It may be concluded that erosion of the surfaces exposed to the cola-type soft drink was more accentuated and directly proportional to the exposure time.

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Er:YAG laser may adversely affect bond strength in higher or lesser degree, depending on the adhesive system used.

The purpose of this study was to assess the microtensile bond strength of a self-etching adhesive system to enamel and dentin prepared by Er:YAG laser irradiation or air abrasion, as well as to evaluate the adhesive interfaces by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For microtensile bond strength test, 80 third molars were randomly assigned to five groups: Group I, carbide bur, control (CB); II, air abrasion with standard tip (ST); III, air abrasion with supersonic tip (SP); IV, Er:YAG laser 250 mJ/4 Hz (L250); V, Er:YAG laser 300 mJ/4 Hz (L300). Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 8) (enamel, E and dentin, D). E and D surfaces were treated with the self-etching system Adper Prompt L-Pop and composite buildups were done with Filtek Z-250. Sticks with a cross-sectional area of 0.8 mm(2) (+/-0.2 mm(2)) were obtained and the bond strength tests were performed. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test. For morphological analysis, disks of 30 third molars were restored, sectioned and prepared for SEM. Dentin presented the highest values of adhesion, differing from enamel. Laser and air-abrasion preparations were similar to enamel. Dentin air-abrasion with standard tip group showed higher bond strength results than Er:YAG-laser groups, however, air-abrasion and Er:YAG laser groups were similar to control group. SEM micrographs revealed that, for both enamel and dentin, the air-abrasion and laser preparations presented irregular adhesive interfaces, different from the ones prepared by rotary instrument. It was concluded that cavity preparations accomplished by both Er:YAG laser energies and air abrasion tips did not positively influence the adhesion to enamel and dentin.

Dentifrice abrasiveness and brushing time may increase color change (∆E) and surface roughness (∆Ra) of resin composites. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mechanical brushing time of dentifrices with different abrasiveness on ∆E and ∆Ra of nanofilled (Z350, 3M ESPE) and nanohybrid (Tetric N-Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent) resin composites. Sixteen specimens (12 mm diameter x 2 mm thick) were fabricated using a white Teflon matrix of each resin composite and a ceramic (IPS e.max Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent), used as control. After initial color readouts on white backgrounds (Spectrophotometer PCB 6807, Byk Gardner), with D65 standard illuminant, and surface roughness (Rugosimeter Surfcorder SE 1700, Kosalab) with cut-off=0.8 mm and speed=0.25 mm/s, specimens were assigned (n=8) according to the abrasiveness of the dentifrices: RDA* 68 (Colgate) and RDA* 180 (Colgate Total Plus Whitening). Specimens were submitted to mechanical brushing (58,400 cycles) and after every 14,600 cycles (1 year of brushing by a healthy individual), new color and surface roughness readouts were taken. Color stability was calculated by CIEDE2000. Data were analyzed by 3-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni test (p<0.05), and demonstrated that the dentifrice abrasiveness (p=0.02) and brushing time (p<0.0001) affected the ∆E of nanofilled resin composite. There was no difference on surface roughness of materials (p=0.6752) or brushing time (p=0.7997). In conclusion, the longer the brushing time and dentifrice abrasiveness, the greater the color change of the nanofilled resin composite. The surface roughness was not influenced by dentifrice abrasiveness.

The ablation ability of the Er:YAG laser on dentin raised with the increase of energy and/or pulse repetition rate, the latter exhibiting a stronger influence on mass loss rate and on morphological alterations.