A novel non-destructive technique for qualitative and quantitative measurement of dental erosion in its entirety by porosity and bulk tissue-loss

To explore the potential of combining non-contact profilometry (NCP) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) data to measure entire erosive process non-destructively validate findings using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), electron (SEM) surface microhardness (SMH) same samples throughout. Polished bovine enamel (n = 35) were divided into groups (7/group) with similar SMH values. Samples underwent individual challenges (1 % citric acid, pH3.8) for 1, 5, 10, 15 or 30 min under stirring aliquot extracts analysed Ca P by ICP-AES. was used softening. Profilometry assess bulk volume loss (BVL). Images captured SEM. stained rhodamine-B (0.1 mM, 24 h) images CLSM. Image processing determine changes in fluorescent first 10 ?m (?FV10) each sample which combined BVL calculate total lesion (TLV). ANOVA, linear regression Pearson correlation analysis where applicable. Surface softening, [Ca], [P], ?FV10?m increased acid erosion duration significant (P < .01). The Ca:P ratio 1.57 then decreased after 5 suggesting a sub/surface phase change, observed SEM CLSM showing subsurface morphology time. Combination ?FV10 as TLV strengthened correlations This novel combination NCP allows concurrent non-destructive quantification mineral loss, qualitatively characterise microstructural during dental erosion.