title: Atomic force microscopy study of enamel remineralization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present in vitro study was the evaluation of two products: a CPP-ACP paste (GC Tooth Mousse, GC Corp.) and a desensitizing toothpaste (Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, Colgate-Palmolive) on preventing enamel erosion produced by a soft drink (Coca Cola) by using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty enamel specimens were assigned to 6 groups of 5 specimens each. 1: intact enamel, 2: enamel + soft drink, 3: intact enamel + Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, 4: enamel + soft drink + Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, 5: intact enamel + GC Tooth Mousse, 6: enamel + soft drink + GC Tooth Mousse. The surface of each specimen was imaged by AFM. The root mean-square roughness (Rrms) was obtained from the AFM images and the differences in the averaged values among the groups were analyzed by ANOVA test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparing groups 4 and 6 (soft drink + toothpastes) with group 2 (eroded enamel) a statistical difference (P<0.05) was registered, suggesting effectiveness in protecting enamel against erosion of the products investigated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of new formulation toothpastes can prevent enamel demineralization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Section of Dentistry, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poggio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Section of Dentistry, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ceci
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Section of Statistics, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beltrami
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Section of Dentistry, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lombardini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Section of Dentistry, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colombo
keywords: AFM; SEM; enamel; remineralization; soft drinks; surface roughness