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Comparing the Effects of Electronic Cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in a Novel In Vivo Exposure System
Published on: May 24, 2017
E-cigarette exposure increases caries risk and modifies dental surface in an in vitro model
Aline Evangelista Souza-Gabriel1, Vitoria Leite Paschoini-Costa1, Manoel Damião Sousa-Neto1
1Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Electronic cigarette use significantly reduces tooth microhardness and alters enamel structure, potentially increasing cavity risk. Sweet-flavored e-liquids undergo thermal degradation, forming new compounds during vaping.
Area of Science:
- Dental Health
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly popular, delivering nicotine comparable to traditional cigarettes.
- The impact of e-cigarettes on dental health remains largely unknown.
- Sweet-flavored e-liquids are commonly used, raising concerns about their effects on oral tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of e-cigarette use on the cariogenic potential of tooth surfaces.
- To analyze chemical alterations in aerosols from sweet-flavored e-liquids.
- To assess changes in tooth microhardness and morphology after simulated smoking.
Main Methods:
- Simulated e-cigarette smoking on enamel, dentin, and root dentin specimens.
- Microhardness testing, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet-Visible detection (HPLC-UV/Vis) for e-liquid analysis.
Main Results:
- All tooth substrates showed significant microhardness reduction post-smoking.
- SEM revealed disorganized enamel prisms after smoking.
- FTIR indicated decreased carbonate intensity in dentin, and e-liquids degraded into new compounds.
Conclusions:
- E-cigarette smoking diminishes the microhardness of enamel, dentin, and root dentin.
- Alterations in enamel morphology and chemical changes in tooth tissues were observed.
- E-cigarette use may elevate the risk of dental caries due to tissue degradation and chemical interactions.
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