RESUMO
AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the enamel microhardness, surface roughness, and chemical composition after microabrasion technique, followed by polishing and different immersion times in artificial saliva. Materials and methods: Ninety enamel blocks (25mm2) from bovine incisors were divided into two groups (G1 and G2), and then subdivided in five subgroups (n = 9) according to their microabrasion treatment and polishing with a diamond paste: 35% phosphoric acid and pumice (H3PO4+Pum) and polishing; just H3PO4+Pum; 6.6% hydrochloric acid and silica (HCl+Sil) and polishing; just HCl+Sil; and control (no treatment). For G1, roughness and microhardness analyses were performed before (L1) and after (L2) microabrasion. After 15 (L3) and 30 (L4) days of immersion in artificial saliva, microhardness analysis was also performed. After (L4) analysis, the specimens were subjected to SEM analysis. G2 was used for the chemical analysis using energy dispersion testing (EDS). The data was subjected to statistical analysis (α = 5%). For roughness, L2 presented higher values than L1, except for the polished groups. For microhardness, L2 presented higher values than L1, except for unpolished groups. The L3 and L4 did not differ and were higher than L1. RESULTS: No changes were observed in the phosphorus concentrations of the microabrasioned enamel. However, the specimens treated with HCl+Sil were observed as having decreased calcium and increased chlorine and silica on the EDS test. Conclusion: Microabrasion followed by polishing and immersion in artificial saliva for 15 days is enough to increase the microhardness of microabrasioned enamel surfaces, although the microabrasion procedure can alter the mineral content of the enamel.
