Cross-sectional microhardness of human enamel subjected to erosive, cariogenic or combined erosive/cariogenic challenges

Abstract

This in situ study evaluated the interaction between caries and erosion processes. In the first phase, enamel specimens were subjected to erosion without dental plaque (EO) or to erosion with plaque (EP); in the second phase, they were subjected to erosion plus cariogenic challenge (EC) or cariogenic challenge (CO), both with plaque accumulation. Cross-sectional hardness data (10-330 microm depth) were tested using ANOVA (alpha = 0.05). EO and EP showed surface softening to 10 microm depth. CO and EC produced subsurface lesions, of similar depth (up to 220 microm), with CO showing higher integrated loss of hardness than EC, indicating that cariogenic and erosive challenges did not have an additive effect.