Relative dentin and enamel abrasivity of charcoal toothpastes.

OBJECTIVES: Very little data are known about charcoal toothpastes. The aim of this study was to counteract the missing data by determining the relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) and relative enamel abrasivity (REA) values of charcoal toothpastes. METHODS: Radioactively charged dentin and enamel samples were randomly divided into groups of eight specimens. Each group was brushed with two of total 12 charcoal toothpaste slurries and with a standard abrasive with a known RDA and REA value. The measured radioactivity in counts per minute within the slurries corresponds to the amount of dentin or enamel abraded. RDA and REA values of the charcoal toothpastes were expressed relative to the known value of the standard slurry. RESULTS: The RDA and REA values of the charcoal toothpastes have a broad range of 24-166 and 0-14, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The RDA and REA values do not differ significantly from previously tested commercially available toothpastes. However, the lack of fluoride compounds in many of the investigated charcoal toothpastes can have a less beneficial effect for the consumers. It is very important to educate patients accordingly.

RDA and REA Values of Commercially Available Toothpastes Utilising Diamond Powder and Traditional Abrasives.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether toothpastes with diamond powder vs those with traditional abrasives abrade dentin and enamel differently and to determine the relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) and relative enamel abrasivity (REA) values of those toothpastes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dentin and enamel samples of bovine permanent incisors were randomly allocated into groups of eight, brushed with 20 different toothpastes (three of which contained diamond powder) and analysed for their RDA and REA values. RESULTS: Toothpastes with diamond powder exhibit low RDA values but high REA values. Some RDA values exceeded the ones declared by the manufacturer. CONCLUSION: Diamond powder as an abrasive might have a mild action on dentin, but it is highly abrasive on enamel.