Preventive effect of two toothpastes on enamel erosion produced by a soft drink: a confocal microscopy invitro study

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate two new formulation tooth pastes (Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief and Clinprotooth Crème) on repairing enamel erosion produced by a soft drink (Coca Cola), using Confocal Microscopy. Methodology: This in vitro study was conducted on 30 extracted premolar teeth which were free of caries and defects. The samples were assigned to 6 groups, each containing 5 teeth. Group 1: intact enamel, Group 2: enamel + soft drink, Group 3: enamel + Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, Group 4: enamel + soft drink + Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, Group 5: enamel + Clinprotooth Crème and Group 6: enamel + soft drink + Clinprotooth Crème. Groups 2, 4 and 6 were immersed in 6mL of the soft drink for 2 min at room temperature before rinsing with deionized water. Four consecutive intervals of the immersion procedure were carried out at 0, 8, 24 and 36 h for a total of 8 minutes. The toothpastes were then applied onto the surface of the specimens of groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 without brushing for 3 min at 0, 8, 24 and 36 h and then washed with distilled water. In groups 4 and 6 the toothpastes were applied after demineralization with Coca Cola. The Root Mean square roughness will be obtained from Confocal Microscopy images and statistical analysis was done by ANOVA test. Results: Comparing Groups 4 (Enamel + Soft Drink + Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief) and Group 6 (Enamel +Soft Drink + Clinprotooth Crème) with Group 2 (Enamel+ Soft Drink) a statistical difference (P<0.05) was registered, suggesting effectiveness in protecting enamel against erosion of the products investigated. Conclusion: The application of the tested toothpastes can be considered effective on preventing enamel erosion produced by a soft drink, however Colgate Sensitive Pro-relief appears to be more effective.