Changes in microhardness and morphology of the adamantine structure as a function of the exposure time to different drugs

ABSTRACT

To investigate the in vitro effect of four pediatric liquid medicines on the microhardness and morphology of the enamel of permanent teeth after different exposure times. Material and Methods:Claritin, Celestone, Amplictil and Vick syrup honey flavor were tested. Seventy tooth fragments were obtained, 50 embedded in acrylic resin and submitted to Knoop Hardness test (50 gf, 15 s, and 5 indentations) before and after immersion in drugs. The specimens were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10), four experimental and one control group (distilled water). The immersion cycle consisted of a single exposure in times of 5 and 15 minutes. Other 20 dental specimens were divided between groups and analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The level of statistical significance was set at 5% with a confidence interval of 95%. Results:The microhardness analysis showed no statistically significant difference between experimental groups (p > 0.05), although there was statistically significant difference within each group at different times (p < 0.05). The SEM micrographs showed distinct changes in the enamel morphology. Conclusion:The decreased in microhardness was dependent on the time of the immersion cycle and morphological changes were influenced by the type of drug and by the exposure time...