title: Air-rotor stripping and enamel demineralization in vitro.
abstract: This investigation sought to evaluate the effects of air-rotor stripping on the susceptibility of human enamel to demineralization using an in vitro caries model. Crowns of extracted premolar teeth were abraded (0.5 mm) on one proximal surface by air-rotor stripping. The teeth were placed in a demineralizing gel and removed at various intervals up to 336 hours. Lesion depth and mineral content on the abraded and intact surfaces was measured with contact microradiography and computerized image analysis (double window technique). For each time interval measured, lesion depth was greater (p < 0.05) on the abraded surfaces and mineral density was significantly less (p < 0.05). In a second experiment, the effect of fluoride supplements (dentifrice or topical gel) were examined on abraded and intact enamel surfaces that were exposed to the acid gel for 192 hours. The data showed that fluoride treatments significantly reduced lesion penetration on intact and abraded surfaces compared with a no fluoride group. Lesion depth on the abraded, fluoride treated surfaces was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than on the intact untreated surfaces. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were apparent between the fluoride treatment groups with respect to lesion depth and mineral density within the lesion. These results suggest that air-rotor stripping significantly increases the susceptibility of proximal enamel surfaces to demineralization. As a result, the clinician should use caution in the application of this technique until the long-term effects on caries susceptibility have been determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Twesme
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Firestone
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Heaven
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Feagin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacobson
mesh_terms: D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001641:Bicuspid; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000601:surgery*; D003755:Dental High-Speed Technique / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008852:Microradiography; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride