Antibiotic compounds and enamel deminera-lization: An in vitro study

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Abstract
The possible medicament/tooth reaction was studied by exposing plane, polished enamel surfaces to aqueous solutions or oily suspensions of various commonly used penicillin compounds, or to solutions of tetracycline sodium. The teeth were examined by visual inspection, microhardness tests, scanning electron microscopy and microradiography. pH and [Ca2+] of the test solutions were analyzed by potentiometry. Surface or subsurface lesions and a decline in microhardness were found in (most) enamel specimens exposed to aqueous solutions of the medicaments. Similar changes were found in test specimens immersed in deionized water, while saliva, oily suspensions of the medicaments and aqueous solutions made from ordinary Ca-penicillin had no adverse effect on the enamel. The most serious destruction was seen in enamel specimens submerged in watery solutions made from effervescent (citrate-containing) Ca-penicillin, or from tetracycline. A slight decline in pH was observed in the aqueous solutions during the experiment. The Ca2+ concentration did not increase parallel to enamel destruction.