Impact of storage conditions on profilometry of eroded dental hard tissue

The aim of the present study was to analyze in how far drying of eroded dentin and enamel surfaces influence the results of profilometrical determinations with a stylus profilometer. Each five dentin and enamel samples were eroded with HCl (pH 2.6, 2 min). Surface profiles of the samples were recorded with a stylus profilometer in three series. In series 1, the samples were measured while stored in water and in series 2, under ambient conditions (21 degrees C, 35% humidity). In series 3, samples were completely desiccated and then rewetted. Profilometry was conducted at various time intervals for a period of up to 181 min (series 1 and 2) and 72 h (series 3). Only the dentin samples were affected by the storage conditions. Stable profilometrical readings for the eroded dentin samples were only feasible when the specimens were stored in water during the complete period of the experiment, including the profilometrical measurement. Thus, for erosion experiments using profilometrical analysis with a stylus profilometer, it is advised to store and measure dentin samples under wet conditions.