Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acid-induced demineralization may be caused by the consumption of liquid medications routinely administered to children. Therefore, different remineralizing agents, such as fluorides and nano-hydroxyapatite, have been added to oral care products to remineralize erosive lesions. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of 1% nano-hydroxyapatite suspension and 2% sodium fluoride solution on the surface texture of primary teeth enamel previously exposed to liquid drugs. METHODS: Thirty posterior primary teeth were extracted and grouped depending on the remineralizing agent used: (A) nano-hydroxyapatite and (B) sodium fluoride. Groups A and B were subjected to liquid medication in two subgroups: cephalexin (cephalexin monohydrate) and ParAzar (acetaminophen), followed by remineralization with 1% nano-hydroxyapatite suspension and 2% sodium fluoride solution. An atomic force microscope was used to analyze the surface texture of the primary tooth enamel by measuring the roughness and waviness parameters of the tested surfaces. The examination was performed at baseline, 7 days after exposure to drugs, and after exposure to remineralizing agents. RESULTS: A significant difference in enamel surface roughness between nano-hydroxyapatite-treated surfaces and sodium fluoride-treated surfaces was observed. A significant change was observed in the surface waviness of the primary enamel surface of sodium-fluoride-treated teeth that were subjected to cephalexin. CONCLUSION: Routine use of liquid medications could have a negative impact on primary enamel surface topography, because the primary tooth enamel is less mineralized than permanent tooth enamel. Our results show that compared with a 2% sodium fluoride solution, a 1% nano-hydroxyapatite suspension can be used for remineralizing and restoring defects of the enamel surface of primary teeth following exposure to liquid medication, thus reinforcing dental tissues with higher efficacy.