title: A new optical detection method to assess the erosion inhibition by in vitro salivary pellicle layer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Application of the recently developed optical method based on the monitoring of the specular reflection intensity to study the protective potential of the salivary pellicle layer against early enamel erosion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The erosion progression was compared between two treatment groups: enamel samples coated by the 15 h-in vitro-formed salivary pellicle layer (group P, n=90) and the non-coated enamel surfaces (control group C, n=90). Different severity of the erosive impact was modelled by the enamel incubation in 1% citric acid (pH=3.6) for 2, 4, 8, 10 or 15 min. Erosion quantification was performed by the optical method as well as by the microhardness and calcium release analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Optical assessment of the erosion progression showed erosion inhibition by the in vitro salivary pellicle in short term acidic treatments (≤ 4 min) which was also confirmed by microhardness measurements proving significantly less (p<0.05) enamel softening in the group P at 2 and 4 min of erosion compared to the group C. SEM images demonstrated less etched enamel interfaces in the group P at short erosion durations as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monitoring of the specular reflection intensity can be successfully applied to quantify early erosion progression in comparative studies. In vitro salivary pellicle (2h) provides erosion inhibition but only in short term acidic exposures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed optical technique is a promising tool for the fast and non-invasive erosion quantification in clinical studies.
authors: Department of Preventive, Restorative and Paediatric Dentistry, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7, Bern CH-3010, Switzerland. cathrine.brevik@zmk.unibe.ch
authors: S C
authors: SC
authors: Brevik
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Lussi
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Rakhmatullina
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D044622:Dental Pellicle / Q000502:physiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013997:Time Factors; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D019343:Citric Acid; D002118:Calcium