Influence of Acidified Fluoride Gel on Abrasion Resistance of Eroded Enamel

The objective of the study was to evaluate the abrasion resistance of eroded enamel brushed with an acidified fluoride gel. Each enamel specimen was prepared from one of 64 bovine incisors. The specimens were embedded in acrylic resin, ground flat, polished and subsequently covered with a tape exposing an area of 1.8x10.0 mm in the center of the enamel specimens. The samples were alternatingly stored in a demineralizing solution (5 min) and a remineralizing solution (1min) four times. An acidic soft drink (Sprite Light(R)) served as a demineralizing solution and artificial saliva was used as a remineralizing solution. After each remineralization the specimens were brushed in an automatic brushing machine (2,000 strokes, 2.5 N load) and subsequently stored again in saliva (1 min). A mixture of artificial saliva (5 ml) with a gel (1 ml) based on the formulation of Elmex(R) gelée (Wybert, Lörrach, Germany) served as an abrasive slurry. Thirty seconds after brushing, the slurry was removed from the specimens by rinsing with destilled water. For each of 16 specimens the following gels (A-D) were used: gels A (pH 7.0) and B (pH 4.5) were unfluoridated; gels C (pH 7.0) and D (Elmex gelée; pH 4.5) contained 1.25% F-. After two cycles the specimens were kept in the saliva for 8 h. Finally the tape was removed and the abrasion was determined profilometrically. The following values (mean +/- SD) were obtained and statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Wilcoxon two-sample tests (p</=0.01): gel A, 0.96+/-0.24 microm; B, 1.58+/-0.32 microm; C, 0. 71+/-0.23 microm; D, 0.25+/-0.08 microm. The differences between all experimental groups were statistically significant. It is assumed that treatment of enamel erosions with an acidified fluoride gel results in a higher abrasion resistance compared to gels which are either unfluoridated or neutral.