Roughness of Human Enamel Surface Submitted to Different Prophylaxis Methods

Abstract

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate alterations in the surface roughness and micromorphology of human enamel submitted to three prophylaxis methods. Sixty-nine caries-free molars with exposed labial surfaces were divided into three groups. Group I was treated with a rotary instrument set at a low speed, rubber cup and a mixture of water and pumice; group II with a rotary instrument set at a low speed, rubber cup and prophylaxis paste Herjos-F (Vigodent S/A Indústria e Comércio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil); and group III with sodium bicarbonate spray Profi II Ceramic (Dabi Atlante Indústrias Médico Odontológicas Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil). All procedures were performed by the same operator for 10 s, and samples were rinsed and stored in distilled water. Pre and post-treatment surface evaluation was completed using a surface profilometer (Perthometer S8P, Marh, Perthen, Germany) in 54 samples. In addition, the other samples were coated with gold and examined in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of this study were statistically analyzed with the paired t-test (Student), the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Dunn (5%) test. The sodium bicarbonate spray led to significantly rougher surfaces than the pumice paste. The use of prophylaxis paste showed no statistically significant difference when compared with the other methods. Based on SEM analysis, the sodium bicarbonate spray presented an irregular surface with granular material and erosions. Based on this study, it can be concluded that there was an increased enamel surface roughness when teeth were treated with sodium bicarbonate spray when compared with teeth treated with pumice paste.

Comparative analysis of different prophylatic methods on primary teeth enamel roughness

“…However, these results contradict previous studies on enamel surface roughness in permanent teeth, indicating that sodium bicarbonate, water and air jet resulted in significant increase in the enamel roughness, with pumice and water being the prophylactic method of surface polishing resulting in the smoothest enamel surface [16]. It should be highlighted that previously published data on permanent teeth was evaluated similarly [9,[13][14][15].…”

“…In accordance with previous studies in the literature, all the specimens received treatment for surface standardization by using polishing disc (Erios -Brazil) to avoid a poor evaluation of the roughness due to natural tooth irregularities [16]. Baseline evaluation of the enamel roughness was performed after surface standardization of the specimens in the four experimental groups and control group.…”

“…• Group I: after standardization treatment, the enamel surface received application of a [16]. The experimental procedure was performed for ten seconds uninterruptedly, with circular movements over the entire buccal surface at slight pressure.…”

“…Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have been performed to compare different dental prophylactic procedures in permanent teeth [9,[13][14][15]. Our earlier studies showed that enamel surface roughness increases when permanent teeth are treated with sodium bicarbonate spray compared to teeth treated with pumice paste [16]. However, the effects of different prophylactic surface treatments on primary teeth have not been extensively studied.…”

Efficiency of three different polishing methods on enamel and cementum: A scanning electron microscope study

“…It is believed to reach the surfaces that are inaccessible to a rotary device, although their actual efficacy in smoothing the enamel and cementum surfaces remains debatable. [ 16 ] The results obtained in the present study were in accordance with the studies conducted by Bailey and Phillips,[ 8 ] Kontturi-Närhi et al .,[ 24 ] Petersson et al .,[ 27 ] Han,[ 28 ] Agger et al .,[ 29 ] Castanho et al .,[ 30 ] and Sahrmann et al .,[ 31 ] demonstrating that air polisher increases the surface roughness as well as the debris on both enamel and cementum surfaces. The abrasiveness may be due to the shape of sodium bicarbonate powder particle and the high pressure of the air polisher the particles are blasted on the tooth surface.…”