In vitro evaluation of the effect of CO2 laser, associated or not of fluoride, in inhibiting the progression of erosive lesions on human enamel

• Grant number: 11/20518-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Moreira de Freitas Costa e Silva
• Grantee: Camila Vieira da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This in vitro study aims to evaluate, under Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), the progression of erosion lesions in human enamel after surface treatment with the CO2 laser, associated or not with fluoride. Seventy five enamel samples will be randomly divided into five groups (n = 15): G1 - control (no treatment), G2 - acidulated phosphate fluoride (FFA), G3 - CO2 laser (10.6 microns), G4 - CO2 laser + FFA; G5 - FFA + CO2 laser. Before and after the surface treatment, the samples will be subjected to erosive cycling with 0.05 M citric acid (pH 2.3) at room temperature for 20 minutes, 2 times a day over 5 days. Readings by OCT will be held before the first acid challenge (baseline) and at the end of every day of erosive challenge. The OCT imaging will enable the measurement of dental tissue changes/ loss over the 10 cycles. The data obtained in the analysis by OCT will be tested for assumptions to determine the homogeneity and normality of the sample. From this analysis it will be chosen the most appropriate statistical test for comparison between the experimental groups performed with a significance level of 5%. (AU)