Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation associated to fluoride for in situ model using gamma sterilized dentin and enamel

Abstract

The in situ intraoral model uses human dental enamel samples (HDE) in order to analyse the de-remineralization processes using the buccal environment without interfering into the patients’ natural dentition. The main ethical concern from this model is the biosafety. Gamma radiation is a very efficient sterilization method that is not expected to alter the mineral content of the hard tissues, avoiding biases in the results. Thus 40 HDE samples were irradiated through a source of 60Co multipurpose irradiator aiming complete sterilization (25 KGy/h) with the purpose of accumulating the native plaque on them at an in situ study. An Er,Cr:YSGG laser was used alone and in combination with the topical applications of: 1-dentifrice (1,100 lg F-/g) or 2-APF (12,300 lg F-/g). Morphological analyses were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determination of alkali-soluble fluoride concentration by specific ion electrode and microhardness determination. Then, the 15 volunteers used palatal devices containing previously treated HDE samples and remained using F dentifrice. The FTIR findings established that gamma radiation could be used aiming HDE sterilization. The Knoop hardness number was within the range of that of natural dentin of human origin. X-ray fluorescence shows that irradiated dentin has great similarity with natural dentin from the point of view of chemical composition. SEM analyses showed that there was no thermal damage or interprismatic morphological changes in the hydroxyapatite structure of human dental dentin outside the buccal environment when using doses of gamma irradiation up to 25 kGy.