title: The effect of propolis exposure on microhardness of human enamel in vitro.
abstract: Propolis is a resinous wax-like material that is used by bees as a glue-like matrix in their hives. The in vitro effect of propolis solutions was investigated on the microhardness of human dental enamel. The calcium concentration of the solution was 7.8 ppm, the pH values varied between 5 and 6. The fluoride concentration was negligible. The Vickers hardness number of exposed enamel showed a steady increase with the percentage of propolis in the solution. The microhardness increase may be attributed to particular components of mineralization activity in propolis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology/Dental Research, Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Giamalia
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grobler
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gedalia
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007101:Immersion; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry; D011429:Propolis / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011429:Propolis; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium