Effects from pretreatment of stannous fluoride versus sodium fluoride on enamel exposed to 0.1 M or 0.01 M hydrochloric acid

Abstract

Preventing enamel erosions caused by acidic soft drinks or from vomiting during eating disorders is a challenge in current dental research. The aim of this study was to examine whether pretreatment of dental enamel with a solution of 0.4% SnF₂ could prevent dissolution of human enamel exposed to solutions of 0.1 M HCl, pH 1.2 or 0.01 M HCl at pH 2.2. Human enamel was pretreated for 18 h with a solution of 0.4% SnF₂ and with control solutions of 2% NaF or distilled water, and then exposed to HCl solutions. Similar experiments were performed with teeth treated for 2 min SnF₂ and then 4 min HCl. The effect was monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by chemical analysis. At pH 2.2, NaF and water treatments showed minor inhibition of enamel dissolution, whereas SnF[Formula: See Text] inhibited demineralization significantly also after 2 min pretreatment and 4 min HCl exposure. At pH 1.2, SEM showed severe dissolution of the enamel surfaces regardless of pretreatment. As pH of stomach vomit is usually >1.5, SnF₂ may be an interesting agent for use in the treatment and prevention of dental erosions even in patients with frequent vomiting episodes.