Enamel Resistance to Demineralization After Bracket Debonding Using Fluoride Varnish

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 15183 - 7
• Main Authors: Vicente, Ascensión, Ortiz Ruiz, Antonio José, García López, Miriam, Martínez Beneyto, Yolanda, Bravo-González, Luis-Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 09.11.2017; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 692/700/3032/3065; 692/700/3032/3145/3108; Adhesives; Calcium; Data processing; Demineralization; Dental enamel; Enamel; Fluoride treatments; Fluorides; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Scanning electron microscopy; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Spectroscopy; Teeth; X-ray spectroscopy
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15600-5

The aim of this study was to evaluate the elemental content and morphology of enamel subjected to demineralization cycles after bracket debonding, adhesive remnant removal, and application of a fluoride varnish. 125 bovine teeth were divided into five groups (n = 25): 1) Intact enamel; 2) Intact enamel + demineralization cycles (DC); 3) Enamel after adhesive removal; 4)Enamel after adhesive removal + DC; 5) Enamel after adhesive removal + Profluorid + DC. The weight percentages of calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P) and fluoride (F) were calculated using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Samples were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test. The weight percentages of Ca and P in Group 1 were significantly higher than Groups 2, 4, and 5. The weight percentages of Ca and P in Group 2 were significantly higher than Groups 4 and 5. Group 3 presented significantly higher percentages of Ca and P than Group 4. Group 5 showed a significantly higher percentage of Ca than Group 4. The presence of F was detected in Group 5. SEM images showed more signs of demineralization in Group 4 than Group 5. Fluoride varnish application may protect enamel from demineralization after bracket debonding.