Effects of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Irradiation, Application of Eggshell Solution, and a Combination of Both on Enamel Resistance Against Lemonade-Induced Erosion

Fatemeh  Dehghani; Roza  Haghgoo; Mohammad  Asnaashari; Hossein  Dehghan

doi:10.18502/fid.v23i20.22010

Fatemeh Dehghani Private Practice, Tehran, Iran
Roza Haghgoo Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Asnaashari Laser Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hossein Dehghan Medicinal Plants Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fid.v23i20.22010

Keywords: Egg Shell; Lasers; Tooth Erosion

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed the effects of erbium, chromium: yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation and eggshell solution on enamel resistance to lemonade-induced erosion.

Materials and Methods: This in vitro study was conducted on 40 surgically extracted mandibular third molars. After initial microhardness measurement, the specimens were assigned to five groups (n=8), including three experimental and two control groups. The experimental group specimens received (I) Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation, (II) eggshell solution, and (III) Er,Cr:YSGG laser plus eggshell solution. The positive and negative controls were fluoride and artificial saliva, respectively. Microhardness was reassessed after treatment, erosion, and pH cycling. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA, Tukey’s test, and paired t-test (alpha=0.05).

Results: After fluoride application, microhardness slightly increased compared to baseline (0.92%); whereas a decrease in microhardness was observed in other groups (-6.71% for laser, -1.78% for laser + eggshell solution, -6.01% for eggshell solution and -10.54% for artificial saliva). Changes in microhardness at different steps were insignificant in the fluoride (P=0.09) and eggshell (P=0.09) groups. A statistically significant descending trend was observed in microhardness of laser (P=0.003), and laser + eggshell (P=0.02) groups but the microhardness change at different steps was not significant in the artificial saliva group (P=0.34).

Conclusion: An increase in microhardness was observed in the fluoride group after remineralization, and its microhardness reduction was not significant after demineralization. Fluoride was more effective than artificial saliva, Er,Cr:YSGG laser, eggshell solution, and eggshell solution plus Er,Cr:YSGG laser in enhancing enamel resistance to lemonade-induced erosion.