Scanning electron microscope study of the effects of soft drinks on etched and sealed enamel.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cola and other acidic drinks on etched tooth enamel in a simulated oral environment. The test beverages were cola, orange soda, lemon soda, and sparkling mineral water. Sixty extracted premolars were divided into an experimental group (n = 40) and a control group (n = 20). Half of the buccal surface of each tooth in the experimental group was coated with wax. The teeth were etched for 60 seconds with 37% phosphoric acid, and half of the teeth were also bonded. The experimental group was further divided into 4 subgroups of 5 teeth each, and each subgroup was exposed to 1 of the test beverages in a thermocycling apparatus. The apparatus was designed to keep the teeth in artificial saliva for 2 hours and in the soft drink at room temperature for 15 minutes. This procedure was performed 3 times a day for 5 days. The control group was also divided into 4 subgroups of 5 teeth each. Half of the buccal surface of each tooth in 2 subgroups was coated with wax, and the teeth in the other 2 were left uncoated. One waxed and 1 unwaxed subgroup were then etched, and the other waxed and unwaxed subgroups were etched and bonded. The waxed subgroups were stored in artificial saliva for 5 days, and the unwaxed subgroups were examined without further exposure to liquids. Surfaces exposed to acidic soft drinks were compared with control surfaces under a scanning electron microscope. Defect zone borders were observed between the exposed areas and the wax-coated areas of teeth in the experimental groups, especially the subgroups exposed to cola, orange soda, and lime soda. Fewer defect zones were observed on teeth exposed to sparkling mineral water. The results indicate that acidic soft drinks cause enamel demineralization on etched tooth surfaces.