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Resin infiltration of enamel white spot lesions: An ultramorphological analysis
Author(s) -
Perdigão Jorge
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.919
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1708-8240
pISSN - 1496-4155
DOI - 10.1111/jerd.12550
Subject(s) - enamel paint , materials science , scanning electron microscope , composite material , crystallite , tooth enamel , metallurgy
Objective There is not a clear understanding of the ultramorphology of enamel white spot lesions (WSLs). The purpose of this study is to characterize resin infiltration of enamel WSLs using electron microscopy. Materials and methods Enamel sections with sound enamel and WSLs were sectioned from extracted teeth and assigned to three groups: (a) left untreated; (b) etched with 15% hydrochloric acid (Icon‐Etch); (c) restored with the resin infiltration sequence (Icon‐Etch, Icon‐Dry, and Icon‐Infiltrant). Restored specimens were demineralized to obtain replicas. Observations were carried out under a field‐emission scanning electron microscope. Results Icon‐Etch resulted in an array of pits and funneled holes on the WSL. Replicas of WSLs depicted 0.5‐6.0‐μm‐thick shaggy resin tags up to a depth of 465 μm. Enamel crystallites were enveloped with resin at the bottom of the WSL forming a hybrid layer. Conclusions The resin infiltrant filled the spaces between the crystallites and resulted in an enamel hybrid layer. Clinical significance In addition to masking enamel WSLs, resin infiltration is able envelop residual enamel crystallites forming an enamel hybrid layer. This hybridization makes resin‐embedded enamel more resistant to acid attack than sound enamel.