Abstract

Consumption of carbonated acidic beverages is the main etiological factor in dental erosion. Studies have shown that nanohydroxyapatite has the potential to remineralise primary carious lesions. This experimental study was carried out on 18 permanent teeth. Following measurement of the primary micro hardness value of each tooth, the teeth were immersed in 40 ml soft beer, followed by measurement of secondary micro hardness values. The teeth were then randomly divided into two groups NHAP solution and drinking water, and tertiary micro hardness values were then measured. Data analysis was carried out by paired t test (within groups) and ANOVA (between groups) statistical tests. Secondary micro hardness values of the 18 samples had reduced to 92.5% of the primary values and this was found to be statistically significant (p=0.009). Tertiary micro hardness values of the 9 samples in the tap water group were 99.3% of the secondary values, which was not statistically significant (p= 20.6). The tertiary micro hardness values of the 9 samples in the NHAP group had increased; so that the secondary micro hardness values were equivalent to 98.2% of the tertiary micro hardness values, which was statistically significant (p= 0.012). According to the results of the present study, NHAP has the potential to remineralise erosive enamel lesions caused by exposure to soft beer.

Key words: Erosion, micro hardness, enamel, nanohydroxyapatite.