Synergistic effect of aminomethacrylate copolymer and fluoride in toothpastes against erosive tooth wear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the protective potential of fluoride toothpaste formulations associated with aminomethacrylate copolymer (AMC) against enamel initial erosion and erosive tooth wear.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Polished bovine enamel specimens were divided into six groups (n = 13): placebo toothpaste (PL), AMC toothpaste (AMC 4 %), sodium fluoride toothpaste (F, 1450 ppm F), AMC+NaF toothpaste (AMC+F), abrasion negative control (ANC - ultrapure water with abrasion), and erosion negative control- (ENC - ultrapure water without abrasion). Specimens underwent erosive/abrasive cycling, which included 0.3 % citric acid exposure (pH 2.69, 5 min, 4x/day), treatments (2x/day: brushing 15 s, and slurry 105 s), with immersion in human saliva in the intermediate periods (1 h). Knoop microhardness was assessed at baseline, after the first acid challenge, after the first treatment, and after the second acid challenge, allowing the calculation of rehardening ( %Re) and protective potential ( %Prot) of the treatments. After 5 days of cycling, surface loss (SL) was measured using profilometry. KOH-soluble fluoride was also quantified. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (5 %).

RESULTS

The AMC+F group showed significantly higher %Re and %Prot values compared to all other groups (p < 0.05). SL data (Mean ± SD) were: ENC (7.46±2.26)a, ANC (10.14±2.08)ab, PL (13.11±2.69)c, AMC (7.74±2.10)a, F (11.38±2.07)bc, AMC+F (7.52±2.59)a. KOH-soluble fluoride did not differ significantly in fluoride-containing groups (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The addition of aminomethacrylate copolymer to a toothpaste formula enhanced the protective effect of sodium fluoride against initial erosion and erosive tooth wear.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Aminomethacrylate reduced enamel erosion and it enhanced fluoride's protective effect, showing potential as an agent for effective control of erosive tooth wear.