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Published on: October 1, 2013
Evaluating the buffering and acid-resistant properties of eggshell-titanium dioxide composite against erosive acids
Stanley Chibuzor Onwubu1, Phumlane Selby Mdluli2, Shenuka Singh3
11 Dental Sciences, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Durban, South Africa.
Objective::
This paper reports on the buffering and acid-resistant properties of a modified eggshell-titanium composite against citric acid attack.
Materials And Methods::
Eggshell-titanium EB-TiO2 was prepared by ball-milling eggshell powder and titanium dioxide. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize EB-TiO2. The buffering property against citric acid at pH values of 2, 4, and 5 was measured using a pH meter. Five brands of toothpaste (Colgate, Colgate Sensitive, Aquafresh, Oralwise, and Sensodyne) were used to assess the acid-resistant properties of EB-TiO2. Enamel models were simulated by dissolving each brand of toothpaste with eggshell (control) and EB-TiO2. The samples were exposed to citric acid of pH 2. The average slope (kPa/s) was measured using a pressure sensor. An analysis of variance was used to analyze the kPa/s values (α =.05).
Results::
The FTIR and XRD analyses suggest the surface modification of EB-TiO2. The TEM image revealed spherical-shaped particles in EB-TiO2. The pH test results showed that the buffering properties of eggshell and EB-TiO2 were comparable. Significant differences were observed in the acid resistance properties of the samples exposed to citric acids ( P < .05). The Colgate toothpaste infused with eggshell powder had the highest mean kPa/s values, whereas Sensodyne infused with EB-TiO2 had the lowest kPa/s values.
Conclusion::
The salient features of this study indicate that modification of eggshell with titanium dioxide does not affect its carbonate buffering properties. Connecting the kPa/s values to acid-resistant properties, EB-TiO2 effectively reduces erosive attacks when added to toothpaste.
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