Effect of Polyphenols on the Ultrastructure of the Dentin Pellicle and Subsequent Erosion

• Published in: Caries research Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 81 - 89
• Main Authors: Schestakow, Anton, Rasputnis, Wadim, Hannig, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Citric acid; Fluorescence; Fluorescence spectroscopy; Fluoride treatment; Fluorides; Polyphenols; Research Article; Germany; Dentin; Polyphenols; Salivary pellicle; Transmission electron microscopy; Fluoride; Erosion
• ISSN: 0008-6568; 1421-976X; 1421-976X
• DOI: 10.1159/000536199

Introduction: Erosive tooth wear is a highly prevalent dental condition that is modified by the ever-present salivary pellicle. The aim of the present in situ study was to investigate the effect of polyphenols on the ultrastructure of the pellicle formed on dentin in situ and a subsequent erosive challenge. Methods: The pellicle was formed on bovine dentin specimens for 3 min or 2 h in 3 subjects. After subjects rinsed with sterile water (negative control), 1% tannic acid, 1% hop extract, or tin/fluoride solution containing 800 ppm tin and 500 ppm fluoride (positive control), specimens were removed from the oral cavity. The erosive challenge was performed on half of the specimens with 1% citric acid, and all specimens were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Incorporation of tannic acid in the pellicle was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Results: Compared to the negative control, ultrastructural analyses reveal a thicker and electron-denser pellicle after application of polyphenols, in which, according to spectroscopy, tannic acid is also incorporated. Application of citric acid resulted in demineralization of dentin, but to a lesser degree when the pellicle was pretreated with a tin/fluoride solution. The pellicle was more acid-resistant than the negative control when modified with polyphenols or tin/fluoride solution. Conclusion: Polyphenols can have a substantial impact on the ultrastructure and acid resistance of the dentin pellicle, while the tin/fluoride solution showed explicit protection against erosive demineralization.