The effect of four types of iron supplements on enamel microhardness of primary teeth: an in-vitro study

Iron supplementation has been suggested as a potential factor influencing enamel properties; however, its direct effect on enamel microhardness remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four types of supplements on the microhardness of deciduous tooth enamel.

Fifty five healthy primary anterior teeth were randomly divided into five groups (n = 11): one control group and four experimental groups. The pH of four supplements (Liposofer, Feramax, Amivital Ferrous Sulphate and SiderAl) was recorded. Baseline enamel microhardness was assessed using a Vickers hardness tester (50 g load for 10 s). Samples of the control group were placed in 250 ml of distilled water and the samples of each experimental group were placed in a solution containing 250 ml of distilled water and a volume of iron supplements (equivalent to 100 mg of elemental iron) for 5 min in a Shaker Incubator. After rinsing, the microhardness of the enamel was measured again after the treatment. The mean microhardness of the deciduous teeth enamel was compared using One-way ANOVA across the studied groups.

One-way ANOVA demonstrated no statistically significant differences in mean enamel microhardness changes among the study groups (p > 0.05). The mean ± SD microhardness changes in the groups were as follows: control group 68.82 ± 68.13, Amivital Ferrous Sulphate group 32.06 ± 34.61, SiderAl group 84.45 ± 97.20, Liposofer group 30.35 ± 20.48, and Feramax group 58.58 ± 70.27.

Within the limitations of this in-vitro study, short-term exposure to different iron supplements did not result in statistically significant differences in enamel microhardness of primary teeth. Although numerical differences were observed among the tested supplements, no statistically significant differences were detected.