| dc.description.abstract | Objectives: To analyse tooth wear using white light non-contact profilometry following the polishing of the tooth surface with selected polishing pastes.
Methods: Three polishing pastes containing a range of particles sizes and different coarseness (extra-fine, medium, course) were compared with
commercially available prophylaxis pastes (Nupro with Novamin® and Nupro with Fluoride) as controls. Particle size distribution was analysed using
a using particle size analyser and quantified using Masterizer software. Teeth were in 70% ethanol prior to evaluation. 25 extracted human premolar teeth
were distributed in five groups (n=5), and the teeth were mounted in a silicone putty matrix leaving an exposed buccal surface. White light profilometry
with Proscan 2000 software was used to scan each tooth surface before and after polishing. Scantron ProForm software was used to superimpose images
and measure surface loss and analyse the difference between the two surfaces-scans by the Proscan 2000 software.
Results: Particle size analysis indicated that all samples consisted of a wide distribution of particles’ sizes (DX 10, 50, and 90). The course polishing paste
had the largest DX 90 whereas Nupro with Fluoride had the lowest DX 90. The extra-fine pumice had the lowest DX 90, although this paste had larger
values for DX 10 and DX 50 compared to the medium paste. The volume tooth loss analysis demonstrated that the course pumice had the most tooth
surface loss compared to the extra-fine pumice which had the least amount of tooth surface loss. The average volume loss per group was 0.808, 0.022,
0.014, 0.022, 0.026 (course, medium, extra-fine, Nupro with Fluoride, and Nupro with Novamin®) respectively.
Conclusions: The results indicated that the larger the DX 90 within the paste, the more tooth surface loss occurred due to the abrasivity of the paste.
There was however minimal or no significant difference in the amount of tooth loss between the control polishing pastes. | en_US |
