Effect of iron on acid demineralisation of bovine enamel blocks by a soft drink

Objectives m of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the effect of iron on the acid demineralisation of bovine enamel blocks by a soft drink. -four blocks of bovine enamel were randomly assigned to two groups (experimental and control), which were exposed to 4 cycles of demineralisation in Coke® containing or not 10 mmol/L of iron, respectively, and another 4 cycles of remineralisation in artificial saliva. The softening of enamel was evaluated by % superficial microhardness change (SMHC) and wear analysis. Data were analysed using t-test (p < 0.05). s egard to %SMHC, the experimental group presented average values (±S.E.) of −85.3 ± 0.9, that were significantly higher (t = 4.7, p < 0.01) than the ones observed for control group (−76.7 ± 1.6). The experimental group presented a mean wear (±S.E.) of 2.3 ± 0.2 μm, that was significantly lesser (t = 3.7, p < 0.01) than the one observed for the control group (3.5 ± 0.2 μm). sions ing to this protocol, iron at 10 mmol/L significantly reduced the wear, but significantly enhanced the %SMHC of enamel blocks submitted to erosion by Coke®.