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Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of enamel after various stripping methods
Ayca Arman1, S Burcak Cehreli, Emre Ozel
1Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey.
Summary
This study examined tooth enamel surface roughness and microhardness after various stripping methods. Polishing with Sof-Lex discs smoothed roughened enamel surfaces, while chemical stripping increased roughness.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Tooth enamel morphology and properties are crucial for dental health.
- Investigating the effects of enamel stripping methods is essential for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate ultramorphology, surface roughness, and microhardness of permanent and deciduous tooth enamel.
- To compare the outcomes of different enamel stripping techniques.
Main Methods:
- 120 permanent and deciduous teeth were subjected to various stripping methods (stripping disk, diamond-coated metal strip, combined methods, chemical stripping) and a control group.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assessed ultramorphology.
- Surface roughness (Ra) and microhardness tests quantified changes.
Main Results:
- Deciduous and permanent enamel exhibited similar responses to stripping in terms of surface roughness and morphology.
- Groups using Sof-Lex discs (groups 3 and 4) resulted in the smoothest enamel surfaces.
- Chemical stripping (group 5) produced the roughest enamel surfaces; microhardness of permanent enamel was not significantly altered.
Conclusions:
- All tested enamel stripping methods significantly increased surface roughness.
- Subsequent polishing with Sof-Lex discs effectively reduced enamel surface roughness.
