Toothbrush resistance and fluoride retention of sound, etched, fluoridated, and remineralized bovine enamel.

The wear resistance of tooth enamel that had undergone eight different treatments regarding the bonding procedure has been investigated. In comparison to sound enamel, the outer 3 microns of the etched-surface enamel show a decreased wear resistance against toothbrushing in vitro. Remineralization, either direct or preceded by acidified phosphated fluoride (APF) application, did not improve the wear resistance. The prophylactic effect of the APF treatment of etched enamel is considerable and is not lost after the soft, outer surface layer has worn off.

In vitro studies on susceptibility of enamel to caries attack after orthodontic bonding procedures.

Oral hygiene plays an important role in the prevention of caries. Therefore, when one is investigating the possible effects of acid etching on caries susceptibility, oral hygiene aspects and the supplementation of fluoride have to be considered. The objective of this investigation was to study the caries susceptibility of etched enamel surfaces in vitro. To simulate the in vivo situation, much attention was given to the influence of remineralization of saliva and fluorides. It was shown that etching and subsequently fluoridating and remineralization increases resistance of enamel against a caries attack.