Anti-Erosive Effect of Solutions Containing Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Chloride, and Selected Film-Forming Polymers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-erosive effect of solutions containing sodium fluoride (F: 225 ppm F-), stannous chloride (Sn: 800 ppm Sn2+), and some film-forming polymers (Gantrez: Poly [methylvinylether-alt-maleic anhydride]; PGA: propylene glycol alginate; Plasdone: poly[vinylpyrrolidone]; and CMC: carboxymethylcellulose). Solutions were tested in an erosion-remineralization cycling model, using enamel and dentin specimens (n = 10, for each substrate). Distilled water was the negative control. Cycling consisted of 120 min immersion in human saliva, 5 min in 0.3% citric acid solution, and 120 min of exposure to human saliva, 4×/day, for 5 days. Treatment with solutions (pH = 4.5) was carried out 2×/day, for 2 min. Surface loss (SL) was evaluated with optical profilometry. Zeta potential of hydroxyapatite crystals was determined after treatment with the solutions. Data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). For enamel, all polymers showed significantly lower SL (in µm) than the control (11.09 ± 0.94), except PGA (10.15 ± 1.25). PGA significantly improved the protective effect of F (4.24 ± 0.97 vs. 5.64 ± 1.60, respectively). None of the polymers increased the protection of F+Sn (5.13 ± 0.78). For dentin, only Gantrez (11.40 ± 0.97) significantly reduced SL when compared with the negative control (12.76 ± 0.75). No polymer was able to enhance the effect of F (6.28 ± 1.90) or F+Sn (7.21 ± 1.13). All fluoridated solutions demonstrated significantly lower SL values than the control for both substrates. Treatment of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with all solutions resulted in more negative zeta potentials than those of the control, except Plasdone, PGA, and F+Sn+PGA, the latter two presenting the opposite effect. In conclusion, Gantrez, Plasdone, and CMC exhibited an anti-erosive effect on enamel. PGA increased the protection of F. For dentin, only Gantrez reduced erosion.