SEM STUDY REGARDING DENTAL EROSION ON EXTRACTED TEETH IMMERSED IN HYDROCHLORIC ACID

The aim of study was to determine, using SEM microscopy, the changes of enamel surfaces of teeth imersed in 0,06 ml0/l hydrochloric acid (pH1,2). The choice for this solution is to simulate the gastric juice attack related to erosive lesions on oral dental surfaces of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The study group included 20 extracted healthy human teeth, 10 maxillary teeth and 10 mandibular teeth. After samples preparation, every tooth was cut in three slices. The three slices were imersed in distilled water (control sample), hydrochloric acid (30 minutes), hydrochloric acid (1 hour). The samples were analysed in SEM microscopy, followed by a analysis of minerals concentration. The results showed, for samples imersed in hydrochloric acid, the apparition of important surface changes, as enamel pores enlargement, irregular structure of enamel prisms and significantly decrease of calcium, phosphat ions concentrations. Conclusions: The demineralisation of enamel tissues is directly related to repeated acid attacks; the dissolution rate of enamel in acid erosion depends on chemical parameters of solution (pH, concentration); the study highlights the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for the hard dental tissue