Detection of Erosive Changes on Smooth Surfaces with and without Orthodontic Brackets Using an Intraoral Scanner-An In Vitro Study

Anahita Jablonski-Momeni; Franka Hanselmann; Peter Bottenberg; Heike Korbmacher-Steiner

doi:10.3390/diagnostics13203232

Detection of Erosive Changes on Smooth Surfaces with and without Orthodontic Brackets Using an Intraoral Scanner-An In Vitro Study

Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Oct 17;13(20):3232. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13203232.

Authors

Anahita Jablonski-Momeni¹, Franka Hanselmann¹, Peter Bottenberg², Heike Korbmacher-Steiner¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthodontics, Dental School, Medical Faculty, Philipps-University Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany.
² Department of Oral Health Care, Free University of Brussels (ULB-VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium.

Abstract

Background: Consumption of acidic beverages favours development of erosions. Modern diagnostic methods are required to detect erosions at an early stage. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of an intraoral scanner (IOS) for detection of erosive changes on smooth surfaces adjacent to orthodontic brackets.

Methods: Orthodontic metal brackets were attached to the buccal surfaces of 58 extracted permanent human teeth. Teeth were randomly divided into groups: A = 6% citric acid, B = Coca-Cola, C = Redbull, D = Powerade, E = Control, no acid exposure. Teeth were exposed to acid in three erosion cycles, followed by rinsing and brushing. Scans of teeth were performed at baseline and after each erosion cycle and enamel loss was measured. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) measurements were performed as reference standard.

Results: Significant substance loss was measured in all acid groups after the second and third erosion cycle (p < 0.0001). Correlation between scans and QLF were significant (p = 0.001).

Conclusions: With IOS, it was possible to detect and quantify enamel erosion at smooth surfaces with and without orthodontic brackets after a short exposure time. Considering the limitations of in vitro results, the use of IOS can be a promising digital tool to detect and monitor erosive enamel changes during fixed orthodontic treatment.

Keywords: erosion; intraoral scanner; orthodontic brackets; soft drinks.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding. Open Access publishing fund provided by the Open Access Publishing Fund of Philipps-Universität Marburg and by the Department of Orthodontics, Dental School, Marburg Medical Faculty, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany.